Geom Muyang, having emerged from Mabul’s residence, walked slowly through the inner compound of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
He walked, carefully observing each of the buildings in the inner compound. Never before had he looked closely at these buildings.
The martial artists standing guard greeted him respectfully.
When Geom Muyang accepted their greeting, the martial artists exchanged puzzled glances. Because Geom Muyang had always passed by in a hurry, he had never properly acknowledged their greetings before.
After walking through the inner compound in that manner, Geom Muyang arrived at the Eastern Fist Gate.
Though it was late, Gwonma was awake.
Geom Muyang arrived before the cliff, following a guiding martial artist.
Gwonma, standing before the cliff, spoke without turning around.
“I intend to destroy this cliff in a single blow. That is my dream.”
Geom Muyang looked up at the cliff. The massive cliff, its end out of sight, declared with absolute certainty that it was impossible. Geom Muyang thought that even for Gwonma, this would be difficult.
“If it is Gwonma-nim, you will surely achieve that dream.”
Only then did Gwonma turn toward him.
“I greet Gwonma-nim.”
“Eldest Young Lord, welcome.”
Whenever Geom Muyang saw Gwonma’s fearsome face, which could make even the most sinister demonic visages of the Heavenly Demon Cult look gentle by comparison, he couldn’t help but feel afraid.
“I apologize for visiting so late at night.”
“Not at all. I was awake for late-night training.”
Surprisingly, Gwonma still attended the late-night training sessions these days. Since returning after leaving the cult, Geom Muguk had been unable to attend, but Ian and Cheon Sohui had been coming steadily.
Gwonma had acted like he would go, because he disliked the appearance of skipping out just because Geom Muguk wasn’t there. That was why he had gone, but these days he didn’t miss a session thanks to Cheon Sohui.
He hadn’t known it when Geom Muguk first mentioned it, but as time passed, he realized that her talent and character were second to none for becoming the next Gwonma. So in the middle of training, he gave her separate instruction.
Gwonma found these late-night training sessions enjoyable.
Honestly, it might have been because he was with two young and beautiful women. It might have been because of Cheon Sohui, who held absolute respect for Gwonma, or because of Ian, who occasionally made him laugh with unexpected jokes. For him, who had been sincere about teaching his whole life, these late-night training sessions had become a very valuable and enjoyable time.
“So, what brings you here?”
Just from the fact that he had come at such a late hour, Gwonma could sense it. That Geom Muyang stood on the verge of some great resolution.
“You are the only one who announced that you would officially support me.”
“I am not one to break promises.”
“If it had been after meeting Muguk, would you have made that promise?”
Gwonma glared at Geom Muyang as if piercing through him. Because Geom Muyang still hadn’t grown accustomed to Gwonma’s face, he lowered his head slightly to avert his gaze.
“If that were the case, I would have announced my support for the Second Young Lord.”
Geom Muyang was rather glad that Gwonma answered honestly. He had come to find Gwonma today because he knew the man was like this.
“What kind of person is Muguk?”
“As his older brother, wouldn’t you know better?”
“No, I do not know.”
Gwonma’s gaze turned toward the cliff again.
“I said to the Second Young Lord what I said to you earlier. That it is my dream to destroy this cliff.”
Geom Muyang was curious. How Geom Muguk had answered.
“He said he wanted to destroy it as well.”
In that moment, Geom Muyang felt it. That those words had been the correct answer, at least to Gwonma.
“Perhaps the one who will someday destroy this cliff will be the Second Young Lord. Your younger brother is that kind of person.”
It must have been because of this small difference. These small differences gathering and accumulating must have created the current gap between Geom Muguk and himself.
“Could those words not be false? Could they not be words spoken merely to look good before Gwonma-nim?”
They were desperate words he would not normally have spoken, but Geom Muyang revealed his honest feelings as if he had made up his mind.
“Of course, that is possible.”
“But why did you believe him?”
Gwonma understood what Geom Muyang was feeling. Because even he himself was swept up by Geom Muguk; it must have been impossible for the young Geom Muyang to face him.
“Because the Second Young Lord showed it through action. Because he came to the Eastern Fist Gate and rose from White Fist to Black Fist.”
“With Muguk’s martial prowess, that would not have been a difficult task!”
Gwonma asked calmly of the agitated Geom Muyang.
“If it were such an easy matter, why did you not do it?”
“!”
Geom Muyang could not answer. He too knew. That what Gwonma spoke of was not merely a matter of martial prowess. That when action follows, faith gains strength as well.
Gwonma’s gaze turned toward the cliff again.
After a moment, Geom Muyang asked.
“May I ask one final question?”
“Ask.”
“Do you think it would be better for the main cult as well if Muguk becomes the Heavenly Demon?”
“Why do you ask me that?”
“Because I thought you would answer most honestly among the Demon Venerables.”
Gwonma fell into thought for a moment. He had a premonition that his answer would exert some great influence on Geom Muyang. Even so, Gwonma spoke honestly.
“Before answering, I will say this one thing. Regardless of my answer, my official position supporting you will remain unchanged.”
“Thank you.”
Gwonma looked at Geom Muyang and spoke without the slightest sign of apology.
“I look forward to the Second Young Lord’s Heavenly Demon Cult more.”
It was a cruel answer for Geom Muyang, but Gwonma answered honestly.
Those words flew heavily into Geom Muyang’s chest and lodged there.
“Thank you for speaking honestly.”
Geom Muyang bowed respectfully with a trembling voice and turned around. Before leaving, he looked up at the cliff one last time. Even looking again, he could not conceive of destroying it.
Watching his retreating figure, Gwonma moved his steps in the opposite direction to go to the late-night training.
He offered him no words of comfort or encouragement.
Because the cliff given to each person was something each had to overcome themselves.
* * *
Hyung had come.
Hyung, standing under the moonlight properly dressed in martial attire with a sword at his waist, felt different from usual.
Hyung spoke to me abruptly.
“Let’s fight.”
I could tell. That this match would decide the successor. That he had come even knowing he would lose.
“Good. I’ve wanted to beat you up for a long time.”
“I’m not joking.”
“I’m not joking either. I’m the vicious older brother who tried to instill fear of the martial world in his younger brother who was to become a martial artist. I deserve a beating, don’t I?”
“If that became such a deep grudge, then by all means.”
“Don’t say it like it’s nothing.”
“No matter what, I’m not going to say I’m sorry.”
We didn’t say we were fighting over the successor as if we had made a promise. We simply acted as if settling an old grudge.
Hyung drew his sword, and I drew mine. Except for when we had martial arts competitions as children, this was the first time we had pointed blades at each other.
Flying Heaven Sword Art versus Flying Heaven Sword Art.
Hyung had achieved Ten Star Grand Perfection, while I had achieved Twelve Star Grand Perfection. Even aside from that difference, the gap in experience, skill, and internal energy was so vast that Hyung could not defeat me.
I would not hold back. However, I didn’t subdue him at once, instead letting Hyung use every form he was capable of.
“Be careful. I’m really going.”
Hyung, having warned me seriously, unfurled the First Form, Equal Heaven.
Shwaaaa!
A streak of sword light flew to bisect me, but my Equal Heaven was faster and more powerful.
Kwang!
Watching the First Form dissipate futilely in the air, Hyung was shocked.
With a surprised face, he unleashed the Second Form, but this time too, a stronger Second Form neutralized it.
Third Form, Fourth Form…….
As the exchanges continued, Hyung’s despair grew. He must have known I was stronger, but he wouldn’t have known I was this strong.
Hyeolcheon Doma had said so.
That stepping on him firmly when the time came would be the path for Hyung. I agreed with those words.
I revealed all of my strength to the point where Hyung felt despair.
That was the path for Hyung. So that he would never harbor other intentions going forward. So that he would accept failing to become the successor not as a regrettable thing, but as a natural one.
Hyung must have been looking at a wall. A wall even taller and greater than the cliff Gwonma had been looking at.
When the Flying Heaven Sword Art didn’t work, Hyung swung his sword and rushed in. He must have come knowing he would lose. But when defeat actually approached, Hyung grew desperate.
‘I want to become the successor!’
But that desperation could not bridge the gap in our strength.
Taaang.
The sword that flew from Hyung’s grasp fell to the ground.
Hyung, staring blankly at the sword for a moment, glared at me and spoke.
“Actually, I was planning to beat you with my fists.”
“Then! A man’s fists are what matter!”
I sheathed the Black Demon Sword and spoke to Hyung.
“But what to do? I’m Gwonma-nim’s disciple.”
“……Don’t use forms.”
At Hyung’s words, I laughed loudly. That he would say such a thing in this situation was a good sign.
Yeah, Hyung. I’ll give you a proper beating.
We clashed with our fists. Whether it was swordsmanship, fist arts, or brawling. How could Hyung defeat me?
Puk! Peok!
My fists embedded themselves in Hyung’s face and body.
This was punishment for injecting fear into his younger brother out of his own greed. I had to settle our old grudge.
Puk! Peoreok!
They were fists meant to forgive Hyung.
Even though he took a severe beating, Hyung never used internal energy. He could have tried to kill me by taking advantage of an opening, but he didn’t. He didn’t even attempt it.
That’s why, Hyung. The reason I wanted to save you and bring you along. Father probably saw it first. What kind of person Hyung was.
And just as Hyung, his strength drained, was about to collapse!
Peok!
Hyung’s fist landed squarely on my face.
I let him land a clean hit. It seemed there was guilt in my heart toward Hyung as well. If I hadn’t regressed, Hyung would have become the successor.
But Hyung, me becoming the successor is also for your sake. Let’s live this life, at least. Whether we get close or fight like hell, let’s survive.
And so a fight that wasn’t a fight came to an end.
Having succeeded in landing the final blow, Hyung smiled satisfactorily and flopped down on his back.
Huu, huu, huu.
Hyung’s rough breathing—everything was contained in that breath.
The breathing slowly subsided.
Until then, I too lay beside Hyung and looked up at the night sky.
Lying down, Hyung asked.
“Can you do it well?”
He might have expected me to say no. Or if there were even the slightest chance, he might have hoped I would say, “Hyung, you do it.”
“I can do it better than any Heavenly Demon in history.”
“Damn it!”
Hyung shouted while lying down.
“Uaaaaaaaah!”
He screamed as if thrashing in death throes. Many people in the main cult must be hearing this shout. This shout that decided Hyung’s and my fate.
Hyung, having stopped shouting, let out a deep sigh. He expelled the last remaining lingering attachment with that breath.
“You really have to do well.”
“I will.”
“The successor of the Heavenly Demon Cult fooling around and running his mouth. You can’t do that!”
“It’s because you’ve never seen me be serious. Are you going to beg me to joke around?”
“Don’t do this kind of thing!”
“Okay.”
Hyung had completely given up on being the successor. That was why this question was sincere too.
“When are you going to kill me? Give me enough time to settle my affairs before you do.”
“Why is your head filled with only such negative thoughts? I’ll grant that you injected my darkness, but who planted it in you?”
“You’re the strange one.”
Hyung had given up on everything, but there was no need to. Because I needed Hyung.
“From now on, Hyung has to help me.”
“Nonsense.”
“I’m sincere. I don’t need a puppet Hyung. I don’t need a wounded and depressed Hyung either. I need the real Hyung.”
I got up first and extended my hand to Hyung, who was lying down.
Once we get rid of the Hwamugi, perhaps I might even give that position to Hyung. Because who knows what state we’ll be in by then. Hyung, so take my hand.
Hyung didn’t take my hand and sat up by himself. Sitting there, he wiped his nosebleed and spoke.
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Be proud. You’ve got a killer younger brother, don’t you?”
“I want to kill you. Truly.”
And the next moment.
Hyung extended his hand to me. It was a hand held out to be grasped so I could pull him up.
The moment I saw that extended hand, my heart choked up. There was so much to say that I couldn’t say anything at all.
I grasped that hand tightly. I could feel Hyung gripping my hand tightly too.
I powerfully pulled Hyung to his feet.
Hyung, gazing at me for a moment, raised his fist before me and spoke.
“If you don’t properly act as the successor from now on, you’ll get beaten by me again!”
I looked at Hyung and smiled. It was the first smile I had smiled because I liked him.
“If someone bullies me, can I call for Hyung?”
“Crazy bastard.”
Hyung moved toward the Heavenly Demon Hall first.
I had said I would take Hyung to Father, but Hyung was taking me.
The demonic warriors standing guard were startled. Because brothers were walking side by side in the dead of night, and with their faces all beaten up at that.
“Shouldn’t we wash up a bit before seeing Father?”
“We have to go like this so people know you’re the ruthless younger brother who beats his older brother.”
And Hyung said.
“When you kill me, make sure to tell me in advance… and if someone bullies you, make sure to tell me too.”
A gust of wind blew, fluttering the hems of our clothes. It was a wind heralding a new beginning.