We were truly surprised.
It was surprising enough to hear the words ‘Late Night Training Session’ come from the Fist Demon's mouth, but for him to ask to join the session was almost shocking.
Cheon So-hee, who had been bowing her head, looked up, wondering if she had misheard, but then her eyes met the Fist Demon's, and she hastily lowered her head again.
The Fist Demon stared at me, waiting for an answer.
“I’m not the leader of this session.”
My gaze turned to Lee Ahn.
The look in her eyes as she stared at me was exactly this: Really, Young Master! You’re pushing this onto me? Contrary to her urgent gaze, Lee Ahn calmly greeted the Fist Demon.
“Let me introduce myself formally. I am Lee Ahn.”
The Fist Demon simply gave a single nod.
Even Lee Ahn’s beauty could not soften the Fist Demon’s fearsome expression.
“It is true that I started this session, but I’m not one to make decisions on my own.”
Lee Ahn looked at Cheon So-hee.
Cheon So-hee’s expression said, You're not passing this to me, are you?
Lee Ahn pretended not to notice and asked her, “What do you think, Miss Cheon?”
Without hesitation, Cheon So-hee shouted, “I’m all for it, unconditionally!”
The Fist Demon nodded and asked Lee Ahn, “And you?”
The only person who could refuse after seeing that face would be my father.
“I agree as well.”
Once Lee Ahn also agreed, the Fist Demon's gaze finally turned to me. “And you?”
“Of course, I’m against it.”
For a moment, the Fist Demon’s face twitched, but I didn’t even blink.
“The reason?”
“Because it’s uncomfortable. It’s fine for me, but how uncomfortable would it be for those two? Especially Miss Cheon, who has to see you during the day and then again at night. It must be dreadful for her.”
Faster than my swift sword form, the Azure Heaven Form, Cheon So-hee said, “I’m fine. In fact, I’m happy to be able to see you again.”
At that, the Fist Demon said to me, “She says she’s happy.”
“How can that be? Let me give you a simple example. Starting tomorrow, you have to train in martial arts with my father.”
The Fist Demon’s expression already stiffened.
An discomfort he wanted to hide but couldn’t.
That’s my father for you.
“After seeing him all day while training together, you have to see him again at night. Now, how would you feel?”
It was an irrefutable example.
Father, my apologies.
“Then what should be done?”
These were words that should never have come from the Fist Demon’s mouth.
Since he’d gone this far, of course I had to open the door for him.
The entrance fee would just be a little steep.
“Please teach me the First Fist Form of your signature Invincible Fist Art.”
The Fist Demon’s signature Invincible Fist Art was the Thunder Asura Fist.
It was a rough, powerful, and tyrannical fist technique; the Fist Demon's signature martial art was known to produce the sound of thunder from the fist when the Thunder Asura Fist was executed at a high level of mastery.
The Thunder Asura Fist was composed of six forms in total, and I was asking him to teach me the first of them, the First Fist Form.
“Those children are the ones who are uncomfortable, so why are you the one trying to learn a martial art?”
“They’ll understand. I give them that much in return.”
Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee, watching from the side, probably thought the Fist Demon would never accept.
Not just them, anyone would think so, but I just went for it.
It was important to move forward, step by step, toward my goal, no matter what.
Of course, there was a reason for my bold move.
He had already secretly visited this place twice, and now he had personally expressed his desire to join the session.
Whatever the reason, he also had a strong desire to join this session.
“Do you take me for a fool?”
“Of course not. But I do think you might pretend to be that much of a fool for me.”
I conversed with the Fist Demon through our gazes.
What a madman! Yes, that's right.
I hear that I'm a madman quite often.
After glaring at me for a moment, the Fist Demon turned and walked away.
In truth, he could have insisted.
If he had forcefully demanded to be let in, I would have had no choice but to let him.
If he had used the fact that Cheon So-hee called me Senior Brother as a weakness and pressed the issue, I would have had to do exactly as he wished.
But when I objected, the Fist Demon simply backed down.
He was not a petty man.
He was a person befitting the name of Fist Demon.
Her tension released, Cheon So-hee collapsed on the spot.
“Ah! I thought my heart was going to explode just now.”
Lee Ahn also shook her head. “I knew he looked scary, but I didn’t realize it would be this bad up close.”
Once she calmed down a bit, Lee Ahn asked me, “But why does the Fist Demon want to join the session?”
To her, who couldn't understand at all, I voiced a thought that suddenly came to mind. “Because he’s lonely?”
I hadn’t said it as a joke, but Lee Ahn took it as one. “Please don’t joke around.”
“How would I know what’s in his heart?”
But one thing was certain. “His ultimate goal is probably to fight me.”
“With you, Young Master?”
“Yes. He probably wants to train together and then use the training as an excuse to fight.”
Lee Ahn was startled.
She probably never imagined that the Fist Demon would harbor such thoughts.
“If he wants to fight, he can do it during the day, can’t he?”
“But his subordinates are watching then, right?”
“He could just call you aside and ask for a fight, couldn’t he?”
“Because I told him I would absolutely not fight him.”
“So he wants to join this session to find a chance to fight you?”
“For now, that’s all I can think.”
Lee Ahn shot her hand up and said, “This incredibly dangerous session is hereby disbanded, effective immediately.”
Of course, she wasn't being serious.
The Fist Demon had asked to join, been rejected, and left.
If we disbanded right now, there was no telling what might happen.
Meanwhile, Cheon So-hee, still sitting on the ground, was half out of her mind.
Having been caught by the Fist Demon for taking Geom Mugeuk as her Senior Brother, how must she be feeling now? She was probably thinking that since she was on the Fist Demon’s bad side, her chances of becoming the next Fist Demon were gone forever.
“Should I leave this session, even now?”
“Do you think he’ll let you off if you leave? I don’t think so.”
“Then what should I do? Since it’s already happened, should I just say, ‘whatever, I don’t care’?”
“You have to keep going.”
“What?”
Cheon So-hee stared at me with wide eyes.
“It’s better to train even harder and make up for your mistake with your skills.”
She sighed, her expression saying, That’s easier said than done.
After a brief pause, she asked, “He won’t come back now, will he?”
“I suppose not.”
In truth, I only said that to comfort her while she was in shock, but I had a feeling the Fist Demon wouldn't give up this easily.
“I… I’ll work twice as hard.”
Just as Cheon So-hee seemed to be steeling her resolve, she grabbed her head. “I’m ruined!”
*
The next day, the Black Fists’ training proceeded as usual.
I watched the Fist Demon carefully, but he acted as if nothing had happened.
This made Cheon So-hee even more nervous, and she trained so hard it was pitiful to watch.
Separate from that incident, my popularity among the Black Fists was growing by the day.
It was only natural, as I considered these Black Fists to be my direct subordinates.
They were people who would one day fight for me, and with me.
Because of that, whenever they asked questions, I answered them with all my heart, and we also shared stories unrelated to martial arts.
They were often surprised by my extensive knowledge of the Martial World and the Central Plains.
They became engrossed one by one in my stories, which made time fly by as they listened.
The Fist Demon just watched me quietly from a distance.
I, too, was curious about what he was thinking.
That night.
Three people gathered first for the Late Night Training Session.
It was me, Lee Ahn, and Cheon So-hee.
Cheon So-hee sighed. “The Fist Demon didn’t look at me even once today.”
“When did he ever look at you?”
“…”
“You’re on his bad side anyway, so why not just treat him comfortably?”
“Is that sincere advice? Or is it a trap to lead me to my ruin?”
“Of course, it’s advice for our Junior Sister.”
Cheon So-hee jumped in surprise. “You still think of me as your Junior Sister?”
“Yes.”
Realizing I was serious, she shook her head. “No. What are you thinking?”
“Put yourself in his shoes. You’re the Fist Demon. You have a smart subordinate you want to pass the position of Fist Demon to later. But this subordinate gets caught scheming with that Second Young Master fellow. And after that, they just keep walking on eggshells around you. How would you feel?”
“I think I’d hate it.”
“So act confidently.”
“Wouldn’t he hate that even more?”
At her words, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Lee Ahn laughed, and Cheon So-hee laughed too.
Cheon So-hee gathered her resolve. “Alright! I’ll do as you say, Senior Brother! What’s done is done, so what will be will be. I’ll confidently tell him why I took the Second Young Master as my Senior Brother. If I speak from the heart, he’ll understand, right? The Fist Demon might look scary, but his heart must be different. Thank you, Senior Brother! I’ll do my best. Let’s keep being Senior Brother and Junior Sister behind the Fist Demon’s back. But why do you have that expression? Why? Why are you looking so scary… It’s not him, is it? Please tell me it’s not.”
On the verge of tears, she turned toward the chilling presence she felt behind her.
The Fist Demon had arrived at some point and was standing right behind her.
Cheon So-hee’s face turned pale, as if she carried all the anguish in the world.
Just as she was at a loss for words, the Fist Demon suddenly asked, “What were you thinking, taking the Second Young Master as your Senior Brother?”
The Fist Demon had heard everything she just said.
With a trembling voice, Cheon So-hee conveyed her honest feelings. “I happened to see the Second Young Master sparring with Martial Artist Lee, using the fist technique we learned. In that moment, I wanted to become that strong, too.”
She had just admitted that while the Fist Demon was teaching her fist techniques, she had arbitrarily taken a Senior Brother and tried to learn martial arts from him.
It wouldn't have been strange at all if she were struck dead by a single palm strike.
But she spoke honestly.
Her mind might have been screaming, Don’t say this!, but her mouth was once again speaking for her heart.
“What’s the point of getting stronger?”
“I will be honest. I wanted to succeed you and become the next Fist Demon. Though now… it seems that’s all ruined.”
It was an answer she risked her life to give, but it wasn’t the one the Fist Demon wanted.
“Right, that’s like a job you want to have. I asked what you plan to do once you’re strong.”
“!”
For a moment, Cheon So-hee was flustered.
She had probably never deeply considered the difference between what she wanted to be and what she wanted to do.
Having lived with the sole goal of becoming the Fist Demon, she must have been all the more confused.
Listening to their conversation, I was impressed with the Fist Demon.
Yes, the Fist Demon was the kind of person who would ask such a question.
This question alone showed that he wasn't just some brute who only knew how to use his fists, but a smart man.
I stepped in to save her. “Why did you come here today?”
At that, a surprising statement flowed from the Fist Demon’s lips. “I will pass on the First Fist Form of the Thunder Asura Fist to you.”
I was startled.
I had expected that the Fist Demon wouldn't give up easily, but I never imagined he would actually offer to teach me the First Fist Form just to join the session.
For what reason? Does he really want to fight me that badly?
Not just me, but Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee were also shocked.
No one would believe it.
That the Fist Demon would offer to teach the First Fist Form of the Thunder Asura Fist just to join this small gathering called the Late Night Training Session.
My gaze and the Fist Demon’s tangled in midair.
We once again conversed with our eyes.
You truly are amazing.
Hardly as much as you.
Do you not regret this? Are you not the one who will regret this? Drawing me in this far.
I have no regrets.
“However, there is one condition.”
“Please, speak.”
“You must keep it a secret that I taught you this martial art.”
“Of course.”
The Fist Demon’s gaze turned to the two women.
How could they dare say anything else?
“Yes! Please don’t worry!”
“We were not here!”
Of course, what they probably wanted to say was this: And we’d like to not be here in the future, either!
The martial art was passed down immediately.
The Fist Demon used a telepathic message to teach me the formula for the First Fist Form of the Thunder Asura Fist.
First Fist Form, Black Cloud Asura.
It was the first of six forms, but it was a strike with power greater than any other fist technique.
One would only understand why this martial art belonged to the Fist Demon after being hit by it.
The Fist Demon even corrected my posture, properly teaching me the Black Cloud Asura.
When it came to martial arts, at least, he was sincere.
I didn’t know for sure, but among the Demon Sovereigns, the Fist Demon was probably the best at teaching.
With that soft voice of his, which didn’t match his fearsome face at all.
Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee turned away and did not watch us.
Since our conversation was telepathic, it wouldn’t have mattered if they watched, but they were not so ill-mannered as to observe the process of a martial art being passed down.
And so, I was taught the First Fist Form of the Thunder Asura Fist.
Fwoosh!
One day, the sound of thunder will burst forth from this fist I throw.
Watching me execute the First Fist Form, the Fist Demon nodded.
“You will have to continue training to bring out its full power.”
“Thank you.”
Since there must be give and take, I spoke formally to the Fist Demon.
“Welcome to the Late Night Training Session.”
Me, the Fist Demon, Lee Ahn, and Cheon So-hee.
It was the moment four completely unexpected people were bound together in a single group.
And it seemed the Fist Demon was determined to surprise us today.
“Now, we must train.”
He took off his upper garment.
I had never seen his bare torso since going to the Eastern Fist Hall.
But now, as if he was truly intending to train properly, he began to remove his clothes.
Beneath the bluish moonlight, the Fist Demon’s upper body was revealed.