At the tremendous peal of thunder, the demonic practitioners of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult started in fright.
Those drinking spilled their liquor, and those sleeping sprang awake. Those carrying luggage dropped their loads, and the faint of heart screamed.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the place the thunder had come from.
Never in their lives had they heard thunder so loud, so they all assumed something had exploded.
Deng! Deeeeng!
Bells announcing an emergency rang out one after another, and the demonic practitioners of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult ran busily across the training grounds.
The thunder had even reached the Heavenly Demon Hall, and Chief Strategist Sama Myeong, who had been reporting various pieces of information from Tongcheon Pavilion to the Heavenly Demon, flinched in surprise.
He wondered if something truly had happened within the cult.
By contrast, a smile formed on Geom Woojin’s lips. Geom Woojin knew exactly what that sound was.
“The Fist Demon’s fist has touched the heavens.”
At those words, Sama Myeong understood. That thunder just now had been the sound of the Fist Demon’s fist.
The Fist Demon’s martial arts had reached the realm of startling heaven and shaking earth.
And what he had just been reporting to Geom Woojin was that Geom Mugeuk had devoted himself to fist arts training with the Fist Demon again today.
‘The Young Cult Leader influenced even the Fist Demon’s realm.’
Sama Myeong knew better than anyone that the reason the Demon Venerables had been growing endlessly stronger of late was because of Geom Mugeuk.
Was it because of the Fist Demon’s thunder?
Geom Woojin spoke, letting slip an inner thought he rarely revealed.
“I miss the days when I roamed the Central Plains with that man.”
Sama Myeong smiled as he recalled those days.
“The two of you were truly extraordinary.”
While they briefly reminisced about the past, the next Fist Demon, Cheon Sohui, was staring in the direction of her master’s training ground, overcome with emotion.
“Master!”
Just as Geom Woojin had known, she knew as well. That sound had come from her master’s fist.
The fact that such a sound could come from a human fist sent a shudder through her. And the hope that the same sound could one day come from her own fist made her heart swell.
‘Someday, I will too!’
It was the moment Little Fist Demon Cheon Sohui’s goal in life was decided.
The very person who had produced that tremendous sound, however, was calm.
The Fist Demon withdrew the fist he had thrust forward.
“Congratulations, disciple.”
He knew that just before he had thrown his own punch, no sound had come from Geom Mugeuk’s fist.
“I should be the one congratulating you. Truly, congratulations, Master.”
The Fist Demon looked down at his own fist. It was the moment he had longed for so desperately, yet his heart was unexpectedly calm. He was so happy that, rather, he felt dazed.
“I would like to hear that thunder again, but if you did that, everyone would think a real war had broken out, wouldn’t they?”
Even now, the bells announcing the emergency were ringing out in the distance.
“Master, how do you feel?”
A smile formed on the Fist Demon’s blunt, fearsome face.
“I feel good.”
When had he ever shown his joy so honestly? Long ago, he had shown it to the Cult Leader.
The Fist Demon’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk. This much was certain. If not for the training he had done together with Geom Mugeuk, he would never have reached this realm.
“It is thanks to you.”
“Of course it is. It’s thanks to me.”
The Fist Demon clenched his fist again and asked,
“Did you say you wanted to hear that sound again?”
“No! It is all thanks to you, Master!”
To think that his taciturn master would even make a joke like this! Geom Mugeuk could tell just how pleased he was.
Looking down at his own fist, Geom Mugeuk expressed his gratitude, this time in earnest.
“I succeeded thanks to you, Master.”
Not only had Geom Mugeuk achieved great mastery of the Thunderbolt Asura Fist, but beyond that, the thunder sound had vanished from his fist. Truly, Geom Mugeuk had reached a terrifying realm even in fist arts.
“We should gather everyone in the cult and hold a banquet. Ah, I’ll call Ian first. Ian, your father has grown even stronger! In fists, he is the strongest in the history of the martial world!”
Of course, such fussing would never work on the Fist Demon.
The Fist Demon moved his feet and left the training ground first.
“Go and rest. You worked hard.”
After taking a few steps, the Fist Demon stopped.
“Congratulations.”
From his mouth came the words Geom Mugeuk had so desperately wanted to hear.
“Now your fist has become an adult’s fist.”
* * *
After returning to his quarters, Geom Mugeuk immediately opened the Spacetime Transposition Art.
The place he created today was a hot spring in a snowy plain.
“Ah, this is nice.”
Geom Mugeuk stripped off his clothes and submerged himself in the hot spring. Ever since he had begun training in fist arts, he had devoted himself to training even at the expense of sleep.
After gaining the fruit of that bloody effort, the joy of resting like this for a moment could not be compared to any other pleasure.
Snap.
Snow began to fall over the snowy plain. Soaking in the hot spring amid the beautiful snowfield, Geom Mugeuk silently watched the falling snow.
He spent time alone like that, relieving the fatigue that had built up.
The speed at which his body recovered was incomparably faster than before. Not only because of the effects of his rebirth of flesh and bone, but also because of the mysterious energy in his dantian.
After leaving the hot spring, Geom Mugeuk raised his blazing yang energy, dried his body, and put on his clothes.
Then he opened a new space.
Whooooosh.
In a windswept wasteland, he summoned the Heavenly Demon Soul.
Originally, when he had learned the Eighth Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, Demon Soul Rush, he had wanted to summon it immediately and check.
But once he had begun his fist arts training in earnest, he had postponed this reunion.
What sort of change had come over the Heavenly Demon Soul?
As Geom Mugeuk’s will was conveyed, the Heavenly Demon Soul was suddenly standing before his eyes.
No matter how many times he summoned it, it was wondrous that such an enormous Heavenly Demon Soul could manifest without even a sound of wind.
Geom Mugeuk treated the Heavenly Demon Soul comfortably, like a friend.
“I told you last time, didn’t I? This is the world inside the Spacetime Transposition Art. I opened it in a different place from last time for a change of pace. I didn’t know what sort of space you might like.”
Last time he had opened a field, but today he opened a wasteland. A place where sandstorms from beyond the borders blew in.
Somehow, he thought this lonely space might suit it better.
“If you don’t like the sandstorm, I’ll change it to somewhere else.”
Of course, the Heavenly Demon Soul showed no reaction.
But Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
‘It doesn’t like this place.’
Geom Mugeuk sensed the Heavenly Demon Soul’s emotions. He could commune with feelings on the level of like and dislike.
Snap.
As their surroundings changed, Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Soul were once again standing on a plain.
Swaaaaaaah.
Geom Mugeuk made rain fall. The streams of rain washed the dirt and dust clinging to the Heavenly Demon Soul clean away.
Soon after, the rain stopped and the sun rose. A cool breeze blew in. The sunlight and wind dried the rain on the Heavenly Demon Soul’s body.
Then he felt that the Heavenly Demon Soul’s mood had improved compared to earlier.
‘It really does have emotions.’
And the reason he could feel those emotions was likely because he had learned the Eighth Form. The more forms he learned, the closer he grew to the Heavenly Demon Soul!
“You’ve changed again!”
There was a change in the Heavenly Demon Soul’s appearance.
When he had learned the Seventh Form, a sword had appeared on the Heavenly Demon Soul, and a faint, indecipherable pattern had appeared on its chest.
Now that he had learned the Eighth Form, that once-faint pattern on its chest could be seen clearly.
The pattern embedded in its chest like a heart was in the shape of a flame tinged with blue light. Was it because this was embedded in the Heavenly Demon Soul’s chest? It looked like the flames of hell.
And upon closer inspection, it was not a simple flame. It was the face of a blazing evil spirit—the very face of the Heavenly Demon Soul, shaped from fire.
That was why the flame was frightening as well. It blazed fiercely, glaring terrifyingly at its opponent.
“When I learn the final Ninth Form, I hope I’ll be able to talk with you then.”
The very moment he spoke his regret.
Sssssk.
The Heavenly Demon Soul slowly began to bend its body.
Geom Mugeuk watched its actions with a startled heart.
The Heavenly Demon Soul bent at the waist and extended its hand.
Its palm was held out to him.
It meant for him to climb onto it.
Geom Mugeuk carefully stepped onto that palm.
Sssssk.
The Heavenly Demon Soul straightened its back and stood. Its hand was held out in front of its chest.
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze and the Heavenly Demon Soul’s met in midair.
“Thank you, friend.”
Geom Mugeuk was moved. It was the first time the Heavenly Demon Soul had extended its hand toward him.
The fact that it placed him on its hand like this surely meant it was a being with reason.
But the Heavenly Demon Soul expressed no further action or emotion and simply looked silently at Geom Mugeuk.
“Even this much means we’ve become quite close, doesn’t it?”
Seen up close, the Heavenly Demon Soul’s face was terrifying beyond measure.
“And don’t worry that I’ll be too frightened of your face. I’ve just come from spending all my time with someone every bit as frightening as you.”
Geom Mugeuk turned around on its palm.
Far away, the sun was setting over the horizon. The boundary between sky and earth grew indistinct as crimson light dyed the surroundings, and before it, trees with the sun at their backs stood in a row like an ink painting.
The spreading light of sunset colored Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Soul. And then they, too, became one scene within that landscape.
The two stood there silently for a long time. Though he exchanged no words with the Heavenly Demon Soul, his heart was at ease.
“Later, let’s talk, and I’ll make your body smaller so we can go out together into the real world, not this fake one.”
Just then, outside the Spacetime Transposition Art, he sensed someone’s presence.
Geom Mugeuk turned to the Heavenly Demon Soul and bid it farewell.
“See you again later, friend!”
When he said goodbye, the Heavenly Demon Soul disappeared. Was it because of the mood today? Normally it vanished in an instant, but today it seemed to disappear a little more slowly.
Once the Heavenly Demon Soul disappeared, Geom Mugeuk, who had been on its palm, slowly descended to the ground by treading the void and released the Spacetime Transposition Art. When he landed, he was in his own room.
“Young Cult Leader, are you there?”
At that voice, which was far too welcome, Geom Mugeuk ran outside.
The Extreme Evil Soma, wearing a pure white mask, stood in the courtyard. It was an unexpected visit from him.
“Soma!”
“Young Cult Leader!”
The two eyes within the Extreme Evil Soma’s mask were smiling with delight.
Truly, there was only one emotion he felt whenever he saw those smiling eyes within the Extreme Evil Soma’s mask. A deep and special feeling that could not be expressed in words.
And today, the Extreme Evil Soma had not come alone. The Cheonhwa Pavilion Master, who had come with him, greeted him.
“Have you been well? Young Cult Leader.”
“So you were in the cult as well, Pavilion Master.”
“Young Cult Leader, you’ve become even more handsome while I haven’t seen you.”
If that change was only something the Cheonhwa Pavilion Master sensed vaguely, the Extreme Evil Soma grasped Geom Mugeuk’s change precisely.
“I know you trained with the Fist Demon. Is it because of that thunder?”
He was asking whether this change now was because of that training. Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.
“No. This time, when I left the cult, I underwent a rebirth of flesh and bone.”
Since everyone was noticing the change like this, he had no choice but to tell them about the rebirth.
“And on top of that, Master added an even greater fortuitous encounter.”
The Extreme Evil Soma’s eyes filled with joy. Seeing those eyes, which were happier than if he himself had undergone the rebirth, what other words were needed?
The Cheonhwa Pavilion Master also congratulated him with a surprised expression. How could she not know that rebirth of flesh and bone was an immense fortune?
“Truly, congratulations, Young Cult Leader.”
“Thank you. Rather than standing here, please come inside.”
Geom Mugeuk guided the two of them in.
“Pavilion Master, would you like some tea?”
“If it’s tea brewed by you, Young Cult Leader, how could I refuse?”
Geom Mugeuk brewed tea and brought it out. It was the finest tea among the several varieties he had.
“Perhaps because you brewed it, Young Cult Leader, this is the most delicious tea I’ve ever had.”
“Of course. It is steeped full of my respect and affection as well.”
After they drank tea for a while and chatted about this and that, Geom Mugeuk asked,
“By the way, what brings you to me?”
If nothing had happened, there was no reason the two of them would have come to see him together.
As expected, something serious enough to bring them had happened to the Cheonhwa Pavilion Master.
“I was contacted in secret.”
The problem was the identity of the person who had sent that message.
“The Divine Maiden Palace Master sent word that she wants to meet me.”
The Cheonhwa Pavilion Master, who had first received the message, and the Extreme Evil Soma, who had heard it from her, had both judged that this was not a matter to handle alone.
“Did she state her business?”
“No. She said she would tell me when we met.”
“Where did she ask to meet?”
“She asked to meet at Dongting Lake in Hunan Province.”
Hunan Province was a region where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s influence was strong. But that did not mean they could feel at ease. The other party might have been aiming for precisely that sort of complacency.
“She told me to come alone, but I thought I shouldn’t, so I informed my elder brother.”
“You did well.”
It was a message that had arrived after the Sword King and Fire King had been taken away and all the remaining Twelve Zodiac Kings had died.
Of course, it was possible that the real Divine Maiden Palace Master had something to say to the Cheonhwa Pavilion Master and had sent word for that reason, but it was more likely to be a trap.
After all, it would not be strange at all for the Dark Palace Master to join hands with the Divine Maiden Palace Master and struggle desperately in any way he could.
The Cheonhwa Pavilion Master felt her own limits.
“It would be good if a prophecy descended at a time like this.”
No prophecy had come down. Then had a prophecy perhaps descended upon the Divine Maiden Palace Master? Was that why she wanted to meet?
Geom Mugeuk recalled the Divine Maiden Palace Master who had delivered a prophecy to him three hundred years ago. This would be a meeting between that Divine Maiden Palace Master’s descendants.
In that case, their decision was set.
“If the Divine Maiden Palace Master wants to meet, then you must meet. However!”
Geom Mugeuk’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“I intend to move differently from before. If this matter is a scheme, they will expect me and Soma to come with you, Pavilion Master. That is how it has always been until now.”
Until now, with Hwa Mugi in mind, they had been careful and then careful again, but now the situation was far too different from before his regression.
So he intended to respond differently from how he had until now. He had no intention of moving according to their wishes any longer. Even if it was a trap, he would be prepared to sweep it all away.
“This time, we will go properly equipped.”