Chapter 776: Strike While Its Hot

TL: FoodieMonster007

After leaving his father, Geom Mugeuk wanted to summon the Heavenly Demon Soul. He needed to see what had changed after he mastered the Eighth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

Before that, however, he had to greet the person who most resembled the Heavenly Demon Soul.

"Master! Have you been well?" he greeted cheerfully.

The Fist Demon immediately noticed the change in his disciple. "Take off your clothes."

"You ask your disciple to strip the moment you see him?!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed.

"Stop joking around!"

Geom Mugeuk removed his shirt completely.

The Fist Demon stared intently at Geom Mugeuk, his eyes widening. "No way. Did you undergo Body Reformation?"

He recognized the changes in Geom Mugeuk's body at a glance. He was certain because they had often trained together with their shirts off.

"Yes, I was blessed with heavenly luck during my recent trip and underwent Body Reformation."

Surprise flickered across the Fist Demon's face. For anyone, Body Reformation was a miracle one might only hear about once in a lifetime.

He carefully examined Geom Mugeuk's body, just as Geom Woojin had, but while the father had inspected his son with a parent's concern, he had a different purpose.

"For someone who practices fist arts, Body Reformation is incomparably special compared to those who practice other martial arts."

Geom Mugeuk nodded. That's right.

To the Fist Demon, Body Reformation was significant enough to warrant such a statement. After all, in close combat arts, one's body itself was a weapon, and his weapon had now been transformed.

"You, who once practiced the martial arts of Man, can now practice the martial arts of Heaven. You can now reach the state of Unity of Man and Heaven."

Geom Mugeuk listened seriously to his master's words. Master probably knows so much because he desires Body Reformation more than anyone.

The First Demon continued, "Failing to completely master the Thunder Arhat Fist with that body would be a great disservice to both the martial art and the body itself, wouldn't it?"

"Of course. I'll definitely achieve complete mastery this time," Geom Mugeuk replied.

The Fist Demon was telling him to master the Thunder Arhat Fist right after he had learned the Eighth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

Previously, he had once requested the Fist Demon re-teach him the Thunder Arhat Fist again from the beginning, and that training had allowed him to ascend to the next level. Right now, however, his overall understanding of martial arts had risen so high that complete mastery of the Thunder Arhat Fist was no longer a far off dream.

He considered this series of events a miraculous encounter brought on by his Body Reformation. It seemed that Body Reformation was not just a miracle of the mind and body, it was organically connected to unexpected events and influenced fate itself.

"Have you fought since your Body Reformation?" the Fist Demon asked.

"No, I haven't," Geom Mugeuk said, wondering why his master was suddenly asking that.

The Fist Demon thought deeply for a moment. Despite his carefree appearance, he was a very cautious person. "Are you busy right now?"

"No. Time is all I have!" Geom Mugeuk replied, grinning. His master, who had just been deep in thought, was asking if he was busy. However, no matter how busy he was, there was only one correct answer here: 'Even if my father calls, I'll make time for you first.'

"Wait a moment."

The Fist Demon went into his residence and came out a short while later, carrying a box. It was impossible to know what was inside, but its aged appearance showed it had not been used for a very long time.

"Follow me."

He led Geom Mugeuk out of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and the two used their movement arts to race to the Great Sky Peak.

The Fist Demon then took Geom Mugeuk to a small clearing near the largest waterfall on the peak. He placed the box on a rock, then stood facing his disciple. "Do you trust me?"

"Why are you suddenly asking something like that?"

"Answer me."

"I do. I trust you, Master, more than I trust myself."

Geom Mugeuk was not just saying that to flatter his master. The man known as the Fist Demon inspired a unique kind of trust. If told to wait for a hundred years, he was the type of person who would silently stand in that spot for a hundred years.

"How much do you respect me?"

Geom Mugeuk flinched and took a step back. "Why are you being so scary?"

"Answer me."

"I respect you far more than you could ever imagine, Master."

"Then you won't get angry if I beat you to a pulp for no reason, right?"

"What?"

The Fist Demon's fist cut through the air the moment the words left his mouth.

WHOOSH! THWACK!

The sudden attack sent Geom Mugeuk flying, clutching his stomach. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art did not activate.

Was it because there was no killing intent? Or because the attack was not imbued with qi?

The Fist Demon smirked. "From now on, don't use any inner arts or any kind of protective technique against my attacks."

Geom Mugeuk got up. "If you're the one throwing the punches, then that's basically the same as telling me to go die…"

SMACK!

Geom Mugeuk was sent flying by the Fist Demon's punch again.

If the fist had been imbued with inner qi, he would have surely died or suffered a fatal injury, but the Fist Demon's fist contained only lightning qi, which he could imbue without using inner arts.

Of course, that did not mean it did not hurt.

Just like that, Geom Mugeuk got beaten to a pulp by the Fist Demon's fists.

THWACK! THUD!

The Fist Demon's fists landed consecutively. A tingling lightning energy flowed from the spots Geom Mugeuk was hit.

"Hey, are you beating me up just because your disciple achieved Body Reformation before you did?" Geom Mugeuk cried out in protest. "If you keep this up, I'll spread a rumor that you hit me out of jealousy… OWW!"

WHACK! SMACK! POW! THWACK!

The punches began to fly in earnest. Moreover, the Fist Demon did not just hit one area. He made sure to strike Geom Mugeuk's entire body evenly, hitting his torso, arms, legs, and even his face.

Gradually, the punches grew stronger, and the flowing lightning energy intensified.

Even while being beaten senseless, Geom Mugeuk naturally understood. The Fist Demon was tempering his body. If that were not the case, there would be no reason for him to beat his disciple like this.

Because of that, he tried his best not to activate any protective techniques, which meant that the beating hurt…a lot. At this rate, how could the Heavenly Demon Defense Art simply remain dormant?

As such, Geom Mugeuk struggled with all his might to prevent it from activating.

It hurts this much, and I still have to struggle to keep you from activating!

THWACK! BONK! WHACK!

"Hey, is it fair to hit me from behind like a coward!"

The incoming fists grew even stronger.

"It hurts! Master! Your disciple is dying!"

Geom Mugeuk was not exaggerating. It really hurt. A scream escaped him involuntarily whenever the lightning energy flowed through the places he was hit.

Still, even as he was being hit, he could feel it. The Fist Demon was concentrating all his nerves as he struck.

Right now, Master is having a harder time than I am.

He could feel the Fist Demon's enormous mental energy consumption. It made sense, as one wrong move could leave him seriously injured. No, if he was unlucky, he could even die.

WHACK! THUD! THWACK! SMACK!

It wasn't long before Geom Mugeuk could no longer endure the punches and was about to pass out.

"Endure it!" the Fist Demon shouted.

Geom Mugeuk's eyes, which were about to close, shot open.

"This process is like forging steel to make it stronger," the Fist Demon explained. "But the material right now is ten-thousand-year-old cold iron, so we need to strike it while its hot, before any impurities can mix in."

Geom Mugeuk's face paled. The ten-thousand-year-old cold iron was his own body, and the hammer striking it was the Fist Demon's fist, the fist of the best pugilist in the murim, thrown with his entire focus and imbued with lightning.

It was truly the most precious hammer in the world…

BOOM! KABOOM! BOOM!

If he had not become the Fist Demon's disciple, he would never have had such a miraculous encounter. Normally, no one would dare subject the Young Cult Leader to such a harsh beating, but right now, the Fist Demon was throwing his punches considering him as only a disciple.

After what felt like forever, the Fist Demon's barrage of punches finally stopped.

Geom Mugeuk collapsed on the spot.

Unfortunately, his ordeal was not yet over.

"Get under the waterfall right now," the Fist Demon commanded.

Geom Mugeuk groaned, "In this state?"

As if to say there was no time to waste, the Fist Demon threw Geom Mugeuk under the waterfall.

"You must not use any inner arts!"

"I'll die then! Aaargh!"

Contrary to his words, Geom Mugeuk took the full force of the waterfall with his bare body, without using inner arts. The pain felt like it would kill him, but he tried to let the waterfall hit his entire body evenly.

That must have been what his master intended. Judging by the fact that they started in this place, this part of the process was likely just as important as the beating.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

As the falling water pounded his injured body, it truly felt as if his entire being was melting away. The pain now was worse than the agony of Body Reformation.

Nevertheless, Geom Mugeuk gritted his teeth and endured.

How much did he trust the Fist Demon? He trusted him enough to think it would be okay even if something went wrong and he died.

He endured and endured, until eventually, he passed out under the waterfall.

An unknown amount of time passed.

When Geom Mugeuk opened his eyes, the Fist Demon was looking down at him, looking haggard.

He must have expended a great deal of mental energy.

"…Master."

"You're awake?"

Geom Mugeuk looked around. He was lying on a rock next to the waterfall, and an unfamiliar medicinal scent radiated from his body.

So the box he brought with him contained medicine.

"You endured well. I believed you could withstand it." The Fist Demon smiled gruffly, indicating that things had gone well. "A body that has undergone Body Reformation is magnificent on its own. People often describe it as perfect. However, if that magnificent body is properly forged, it becomes even more perfect."

The Fist Demon revealed that what he had done earlier was not a simple beating.

"The technique I used on you is called the Meridian-Strengthening Electrocution Art. It's a secret art passed down alongside the Thunder Arhat Fist, a method of destroying the skin and muscles with lightning energy and then allowing them to recover anew. It's a secret art that can only be used once, on a body that has undergone Body Reformation. I never thought the day would come when I would use it."

Geom Mugeuk sat up. He thought he would not even be able to move from the pain, but his body felt unbelievably light.

"Go wash off in the waterfall."

Geom Mugeuk went under the waterfall and washed his body.

After cleaning himself up, he examined his body. Despite being beaten so severely, not a single bruise remained.

His skin had become clearer and cleaner, and the quality of his muscles had changed. He could feel with his entire being that he had become stronger.

The ten-thousand-year-old cold iron had now become a treasured sword forged from ten-thousand-year-old cold iron.

"It would've been better if someone more skilled than me had performed the Meridian-Strengthening Electrocution Art, but this was the best I could do."

"Where in this world could there be a better fist than yours, Master?" Geom Mugeuk shot to his feet and gave the Fist Demon a deep bow. "Thank you, Master. Thank you so much for turning my miraculous encounter into an even greater one."

The Fist Demon smiled with satisfaction, pleased that his efforts had not been in vain. "Make sure you achieve complete mastery of the Thunder Arhat Fist as well."

The miraculous encounter of Body Reformation did not end here.

"Master, please teach me again."

Geom Mugeuk did not postpone his training in the Thunder Arhat Fist. After the Fist Demon had dedicated himself so much for his sake, he could not delay achieving complete mastery.

This was, in fact, an opportunity for him, and windows of opportunity never stayed open for long.

"I'll come to see you every day until the sound of thunder disappears from my fist," Geom Mugeuk declared.

He was not just aiming for complete mastery. He aimed for a deeper state where he would not only master the art but also make the sound of thunder disappear.

In martial arts, there was a concept of momentum that cannot be explained by common sense, and he had no intention of losing this momentum.

I'll break through it all at once!

Geom Mugeuk thrust his fist forward, and the Fist Demon thrust his own fist out to meet it. The difference in their fist sizes was still like that of an adult and a baby.

"Alright, let's turn this baby fist into an adult's fist!"

From that day on, Geom Mugeuk began to train in the Thunder Arhat Fist.

After finishing his first day of training, he returned home, opened the Spacetime Manipulation Technique, activated the Heavenly Space Secret Art, and threw punches.

The next day, when he trained with the Fist Demon, his master was inwardly surprised.

He changed this much in just one day?

Geom Mugeuk smiled mysteriously. His master must think that this was because of Body Reformation and the secret art he had performed, but that was not the only reason. He had simply already trained for days by himself.

Meanwhile, training with Geom Mugeuk was also deeply inspiring for the Fist Demon.

How could it not be? The person who had undergone Body Reformation was Geom Mugeuk, and he had also received the Meridian-Strengthening Electrocution Art.

The questions Geom Mugeuk asked during their short breaks touched upon the core of fist arts. This gave the Fist Demon, who was striving for the pinnacle of the art, an opportunity to reflect on his own training. The two of them unreservedly shared the profound meaning of martial arts.

The Fist Demon completely abandoned the mindset of a teacher. They were now equals, training together.

With this mindset, he immersed himself in training with Geom Mugeuk. The miraculous encounter of Body Reformation continued, extending even into the Fist Demon's heart.

When it came to martial arts training, Geom Mugeuk found that training with the Fist Demon suited him best. His master was a man who did not know defeat. He was the kind of man who, once he started throwing punches, would continue until his arm fell off.

They were the same type.

No sound came from the Fist Demon's fist, while the sound of thunder came from Geom Mugeuk's.

Once, while training with Geom Mugeuk in the past, the Fist Demon had said this:

"I wonder if my fist will ever make a sound again."

The sound of thunder no longer came from his fist, and he meant that if he broke through to the next level, the sound would return.

One man threw his punches to make the sound of thunder return, while the other threw his punches to make the sound of thunder disappear from his own.

For the next few days, at the Fist Demon's training ground in the Eastern Fist Garrison, the sound of thunder produced by Geom Mugeuk echoed every day. The Iron Fists of the Eastern Fist Garrison trained while listening to the sound of thunder.

Cheon Sohwi, the next Fist Demon, gazed in the direction of the thunderous sounds with a deep look in her eyes.

Senior Brother is truly training with all his might.

The continuous sound of thunder meant that he was throwing punches endlessly. The ceaseless thunder made them all feel solemn.

How could they neglect their training when their Master and Eldest Senior Brother were training so diligently?

The Iron Fists also trained together with all their might. Even when they all collapsed from exhaustion, Cheon Sohwi continued to throw punches alone.

Even after Cheon Sohwi herself collapsed, the sound of thunder continued.

One day, during his grueling training with the Fist Demon, Geom Mugeuk's fist cut through the air as usual, but suddenly, his form froze.

From the fist that flew and landed just like any other time, no sound of thunder emerged.

I did it!

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Fist Demon with a face full of ecstasy.

KWAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

A thunderous roar that shook the very axis of the earth, a sound never heard before, erupted from the Fist Demon's fist, loud enough to be heard from anywhere within the vast Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

It was the moment the owner of the thunderous sound changed.

The fruit of master and disciple's shared efforts had fallen together, as if by fate.