Chapter 777: Enough to Crush Every Trap in Existence |
The tremendous thunder seemed powerful enough even to make every demonic practitioner of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult flinch in shock.
Those drinking spilled their liquor, those sleeping shot up from their beds, and those carrying goods dropped their loads. The faint-hearted screamed in terror.
Every gaze turned toward the direction from which the thunder had come.
None of them had ever heard thunder this loud in their entire lives, so all assumed that something had exploded.
Deng! De-eeng!
Alarm bells rang one after another, echoing through the cult grounds as the demonic practitioners rushed frantically toward the training field.
The thunder could be heard even from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. While the Heavenly Demon was receiving reports about the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, the Chief Strategist Sima Myung froze for a moment.
He wondered if something serious had really happened inside the cult.
In contrast, a smile formed on the lips of Geom Woojin. He knew exactly what that sound was.
From those words, Sima Myung immediately understood. The thunder just now had come from the Fist Demon’s punch—proof that the Fist Demon’s martial prowess had reached a level that could shake the heavens and earth.
Coincidentally, the very report Sima Myung had just been giving to Geom Woojin had mentioned that Geom Mugeuk was devoting himself to training with the Fist Demon in fist techniques that day.
‘So even the Young Cult Leader has influenced the Fist Demon’s realm.’
Sima Myung knew better than anyone that the recent surge in power among the Demon Supremes was thanks to Geom Mugeuk.
Perhaps it was because of that thunderous sound—
Geom Woojin suddenly spoke, letting his rarely revealed thoughts slip out.
“I miss the days when that man and I roamed the Central Plains.”
Sima Myung smiled faintly, recalling those days.
“You two were truly remarkable.”
While they were lost in their memories, the successor to the Fist Demon, Cheon So-hee, stood gazing in the direction of her master’s training ground, her heart trembling with emotion.
“Master!”
Just as Geom Woojin had known, she too recognized that the sound had come from her master’s punch.
To think that a human fist could create such a sound—her body quivered with awe. The hope that one day such power could come from her own fists made her chest swell with excitement.
‘Someday, I will too!’
That was the moment when the life goal of the young Fist Demon, Cheon So-hee, was set in stone.
Meanwhile, the very man who had produced that thunderous sound remained calm.
The Fist Demon retracted his outstretched fist.
“Congratulations, my disciple.”
He had noticed that just before his own punch landed, there had been no sound from Geom Mugeuk’s fist.
“It’s I who should congratulate you, Master. Truly, congratulations.”
The Fist Demon looked down at his own hand. It was the moment he had longed for all his life, yet his heart remained still. The joy was so immense that it left him dazed.
“I’d like to hear that thunder again, but if I did, everyone would think war had broken out.”
Even now, the sound of alarm bells echoing in the distance could still be heard.
“Master, how do you feel?”
A smile appeared on the Fist Demon’s rugged, fearsome face.
“I feel good.”
When was the last time he had expressed his joy so honestly? Perhaps long ago, when he had spoken with the Cult Leader.
His gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk. It was certain—had it not been for their shared training, he would never have reached this realm.
“It’s thanks to you.”
“Of course, it’s all thanks to me.”
The Fist Demon clenched his fist once more and asked,
“Did you say you wanted to hear that sound again?”
“No, Master! It’s all thanks to you!”
To think that his normally stern master would make such a joke—Geom Mugeuk could tell just how elated he was.
Looking down at his own fists, Geom Mugeuk spoke sincerely this time.
“It’s thanks to you that I’ve done it, Master.”
Not only had Geom Mugeuk perfected the Thunderous Asura Fist, but he had also transcended it—his fists no longer produced thunder. It was proof that he had reached a terrifying level of mastery in fist techniques.
“We should gather everyone in the cult and hold a feast. Ah, I’ll call Lee Ahn first. Lee Ahn! Your father’s gotten even stronger! He’s now the mightiest in the entire martial world when it comes to fists!”
Of course, such excitement meant nothing to the Fist Demon.
He began walking, stepping out of the training hall first.
“Go and rest. You’ve worked hard.”
A few steps later, his footsteps stopped.
“Congratulations.”
From his lips came the very words Geom Mugeuk had longed to hear.
“Your fists have now become those of a man.”
* * *
Upon returning to his residence, Geom Mugeuk immediately activated the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.
The place he created today was a hot spring in a snowy field.
“Ah, this is nice.”
Stripping off his clothes, Geom Mugeuk immersed himself in the hot spring. Ever since he began training in fist techniques, he had devoted himself to practice so intensely that he even sacrificed sleep.
The joy of taking a brief rest after earning the fruits of such blood-soaked effort was incomparable to any other pleasure.
Tak.
Snow began to fall over the white field. Soaking in the hot spring amid the beautiful snow, Geom Mugeuk silently watched the falling flakes.
Thus, he took time alone to unwind and release his fatigue.
His body’s rate of recovery was incomparably faster than before—partly due to the effects of his rebirth, and partly because of the mysterious energy within his core.
After leaving the hot spring, Geom Mugeuk circulated the Heat Yang Energy to dry his body before dressing himself.
Then he opened another space.
Fwoooosh—
In a wind-blown wasteland, he summoned the Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Originally, he had wanted to summon it right after mastering the Eighth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, the Demon Soul Rapid Ascent, to confirm the results immediately.
But once he began serious training in fist techniques, he postponed that reunion.
What kind of changes might have occurred to the Heavenly Demon Spirit?
As Geom Mugeuk’s will extended outward, the Heavenly Demon Spirit soon appeared before him.
It amazed him every time that such a massive entity could manifest without making even the faintest sound of wind.
Geom Mugeuk treated the Heavenly Demon Spirit as if it were an old friend.
“I told you before, didn’t I? This world exists within the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique. I chose a different place this time, just for a change. I wasn’t sure what kind of space you’d prefer.”
The last time, he had created an open plain—but today, he opened a desolate wasteland. A place where dry winds carried grains of sand across endless emptiness.
Perhaps such a lonely space suited the Heavenly Demon Spirit better, he thought.
“If you don’t like the sandstorm, I can change it to somewhere else.”
Of course, the Heavenly Demon Spirit showed no reaction.
But Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
‘It doesn’t like this place.’
He could sense the spirit’s emotions. Feelings as simple as liking or disliking—he could share them.
Tak.
The surroundings shifted, and soon both Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Spirit were standing on a plain once again.
Swoooosh—
Rain began to fall as Geom Mugeuk summoned it down. The falling drops washed away the dust and dirt that had clung to the Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Not long after, the rain stopped and the sun rose. A gentle breeze blew, and the sunlight and wind together dried the raindrops on the spirit’s body.
He could sense it—its mood had improved compared to before.
‘It really does have emotions.’
And the reason he could feel them was surely because he had mastered the Eighth Form. The more forms he learned, the closer he became to the Heavenly Demon Spirit.
“You’ve changed again!”
There was a new transformation in the Heavenly Demon Spirit’s appearance.
When he had mastered the Seventh Form, a sword had appeared in its grasp, and a faint, indistinguishable pattern had emerged upon its chest.
Now, after mastering the Eighth Form, that once-faint pattern gleamed vividly.
It was a blue flame-shaped mark embedded in its chest, glowing faintly like a living heart. Perhaps because that flame burned within it, the sight reminded Geom Mugeuk of the infernal fire of hell itself.
And on closer look, it wasn’t just a flame—it was a demonic face wreathed in fire, the very visage of the Heavenly Demon Spirit itself.
That was why the flame felt terrifying. It blazed fiercely, glaring as though it sought to devour all.
“When I master the final Ninth Form, I hope I can finally talk with you.”
Just as he spoke those words of longing—
Ssshhh—
The Heavenly Demon Spirit slowly bent its body forward.
Geom Mugeuk watched in surprise at what it was doing.
The spirit bent its waist low and extended its hand.
Its open palm reached out toward him.
It was an invitation—telling him to climb on.
Geom Mugeuk cautiously stepped onto the vast palm.
Ssshhh—
The Heavenly Demon Spirit straightened its back, standing tall once more. Its hand was raised before its chest, holding Geom Mugeuk aloft.
Their gazes met and intertwined in the air.
“Thank you, my friend.”
Geom Mugeuk was deeply moved. It was the first time the Heavenly Demon Spirit had reached out to him of its own will.
The fact that it offered its hand like this meant only one thing—
It possessed consciousness.
But the Heavenly Demon Spirit showed no further movement or emotion—it only stood silently, gazing at Geom Mugeuk.
“Even this much means we’ve grown quite close, right?”
Seen up close, the face of the Heavenly Demon Spirit was truly fearsome.
“And don’t worry that I might find your face frightening. I just came back from spending time with someone every bit as terrifying as you.”
Standing on the spirit’s palm, Geom Mugeuk turned around.
In the far distance, the sun was setting along the horizon. The boundary between sky and earth blurred as red light filled the world, and the silhouettes of trees stood against the glowing sky like brushstrokes in an ink painting.
The sunset’s fading glow painted both Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Spirit in its light, making them seem like part of the landscape itself.
They stood there in silence for a long while. Though no words were exchanged between them, Geom Mugeuk felt at peace.
“Someday, we’ll be able to talk—and I’ll make your body small enough so you can come with me, not just in this fake world, but the real one.”
Just then, he sensed someone’s presence outside the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.
Turning back to the Heavenly Demon Spirit, Geom Mugeuk said his farewell.
“See you again, my friend.”
As he said goodbye, the Heavenly Demon Spirit vanished. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but unlike before—when it disappeared in an instant—today, it seemed to fade away slowly, as if reluctant to leave.
When the spirit vanished, Geom Mugeuk slowly descended from its palm using Flight Technique, then released the technique. By the time his feet touched the ground, he was back in his own room.
“Is the Young Cult Leader here?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Geom Mugeuk quickly ran outside.
Standing in the courtyard was the Evil Smiling Demon, wearing his trademark white mask. His visit was completely unexpected.
“Soma-nim!”
“Young Cult Leader!”
From behind the mask, the Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes curved in a delighted smile.
Whenever Geom Mugeuk saw those smiling eyes through that mask, a certain emotion welled up in him—deep, indescribable, and unlike anything else.
And today, the Evil Smiling Demon was not alone. The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion had accompanied him.
“It has been a while, Young Cult Leader.”
“So the Pavilion Mistress was staying in the cult as well.”
“You’ve become even more impressive since we last met, Young Cult Leader.”
If the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion merely sensed a change in him, the Evil Smiling Demon perceived it precisely.
“I heard you’ve been training with the Fist Demon. Was that thunder because of it?”
He was asking if this transformation was the result of that training. Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.
“No. I underwent Reformation after leaving the cult this time.”
Since everyone noticed his change, he had no reason to hide it.
“On top of that, my master granted me an even greater opportunity.”
The eyes of the Evil Smiling Demon filled with joy. Seeing those eyes—happier than when he himself had been reborn—no further words were needed.
The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion congratulated him with a surprised look. She knew full well that rebirth was a tremendous opportunity.
“Truly, congratulations, Young Cult Leader.”
“Thank you. Rather than standing here, please come inside.”
Geom Mugeuk led the two of them indoors.
“Mistress, would you like some tea?”
“If the Young Cult Leader brewed it, I could hardly refuse.”
Geom Mugeuk brewed tea and brought it out. It was the best of the teas he had on hand.
“Perhaps because you brewed it, Young Cult Leader, this is the most delicious tea I’ve ever tasted.”
“Of course. It’s filled with my respect and affection.”
They sipped tea and chatted for a while, and then Geom Mugeuk asked,
“By the way, what brings you to see me?”
If nothing serious had happened, the two of them would not have come together.
Sure enough, the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion had a matter important enough to warrant a visit.
“Someone contacted me secretly.”
The problem was the identity of the one who sent the message.
“The Priestess Palace Master sent a summons asking to meet me.”
Both the Mistress who first received the summons and the Evil Smiling Demon who heard of it judged that this could not be handled alone.
“Did she say what she wanted?”
“No, she said she would explain in person.”
“Where did she ask to meet?”
“She asked to meet at Dongting Lake in Hunan Province.”
Hunan Province was an area where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s influence ran strong. But that didn’t mean they could be careless—the other side might be aiming to exploit any complacency.
“She asked me to come alone, but I thought that unwise, so I informed my Orabeoni.”
“Well done.”
The summons came at a time when the Sword King and the Flower King had been taken and the remaining Twelve Zodiac Kings were all dead.
Of course, it was possible that the real Priestess Palace Master genuinely wanted to speak with the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion, but the likelihood of a trap was also high.
It wouldn’t be at all surprising if the Dark Palace Master joined forces with the Priestess Palace Master in some desperate scheme.
The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion felt her own limits.
“I wish a prophecy would descend at a time like this.”
No prophecy arrived. Perhaps the Priestess Palace Master had received a prophecy instead, and that was why she wanted to see her?
Geom Mugeuk recalled the Priestess Palace Master who had delivered a prophecy to him three hundred years ago—this meeting might involve her descendants.
If so, their decision was clear.
“If the Priestess Palace Master asks to meet, we must meet her. However—”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze sharpened.
“I intend to act differently than before. If this is a plot, they will expect me and the Evil Smiling Demon to come with you, Mistress, as we have in the past.”
Up until now they had been cautious with Hwa Moogi in mind, but things were vastly different since his Full Body Reformation.
So he planned to respond in a manner unlike before. He would no longer move according to their designs. Even if it were a trap, he could crush it outright.
“This time, we’ll go fully prepared.”