Heavenly Demon Cult: Rise of Cheonma

***

Chapter 5: Genius

Observation — a term used when looking closely at someone. Being able to act was essential to live as a performer. And to act well, it was best to pay close attention to people's appearances, speech patterns, and habits. Those moving around in their daily lives were 'characters' themselves. Observing people all the time had become a kind of occupational habit.

"Haa!"

Anyway, thanks to that, I was able to easily observe the Fist Demon Master, Cheoljoong Dam. The series of actions proceeded fluidly from the way he clenched his fist to the way he extended it. It was absurd to think that I could learn martial arts just by watching Cheoljoong throw punches, but now was a time I needed to grasp at straws.

'Huh?'

When I focused my eyes on Cheoljoong's fist, I caught sight of something. The overbearing energy surrounding his fist looked to be in a certain shape.

'No way, is that the Fist Demon Master's internal energy?'

I could see internal energy...? When I rubbed my eyes once and looked again, it was still visible.

'I can really see internal energy?'

This was amazing. When I decided to observe more closely, the process of internal energy flowing into his fist came into view.

Vrrrr.

Vibrations spread from his fist.

'That's the Fist Demon Master's domineering fist technique, the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist.'

In the latter part of the Possession of the Martial God, it was said that the Fist Demon Master's punch could even pierce a path through a gigantic mountain.

'But for now, it's still lacking.'

His punches couldn't even pierce through my fists, let alone a mountain.

"Again."

I demanded that he throw his fists again because I couldn't mimic it after just one look.

"Yes!"

The Fist Demon Master harnessed his energy once more. I watched the process of Cheoljoong infusing his internal energy into his fist.

'Besides, just how strong is he?'

I had felt the demonic auras of the other masters in the meeting room, but I hadn't been able to see their internal energy. But now, I could see his. I had no idea how this was possible. It seemed as if it might've been an effect of the possession. What was certain, however, was that this was a significant advantage for me.

'Because I can judge an opponent's strength by the visible size of their internal energy.'

Of course, this wasn't everything. But generally, the size of one's internal energy was proportional to one's strength.

'If this is one of the Cheonma's abilities...'

I could see why the heavenly demon became an equal match for the Martial God.

"Wheew!"

Following a series of punches, Cheoljoong took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Please, let me know."

Cheoljoong's eyes were gleaming. It seemed as if he expected me to give him some kind of advice.

"Try throwing one more punch."

I'd figured out how he was forming his fist and in which direction he was throwing it. The next thing I needed to understand was the flow of internal energy when throwing a punch. If I could grasp just that,

'I think I can mimic it.'

I didn't know a thing about martial arts, but I felt like I could do it somehow. With my words, Cheoljoong's eyes hardened, and he clenched his fist again with the utmost seriousness.

Vrroooong.

I felt the momentum rising from his entire body. As his upper body muscles pumped, I could see them twitching.

And the flow of internal energy could be seen clearly in my eyes.

"Now, watch closely! This is the unique fist technique of the Fist Demon Cult, the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist!"

The internal energy that started from his core traveled up his arm and settled in his fist. Soon enough, a strong and fierce energy erupted from it. Bang! The gathered internal energy didn't shoot out from the fist but stayed in place. Even though Cheoljoong seemed capable of releasing the energy, he didn't.

He was likely worried that the training ground would be destroyed in that case. A breeze swept through the training ground. After observing Cheoljoong's third punch, I closed my eyes. From the guidance of internal energy to the movement of the fist, I had figured out everything. Now, it was time to replicate Cheoljoong Dam's punch.

'But... something feels a bit lacking.'

After seeing Cheoljoong's punch, I tilted my head, seeing his fist extend in a straight line. I felt a strange sensation. Surely, I should've been completely ignorant about martial arts. Yet I felt that if I made a slight modification, it could become a more exhilarating and domineering technique.

'Should I try?'

In any case, all I could do was mimic him. I closed my eyes and imagined Cheoljoong Dam throwing a punch. And then...

Chaaak...

My legs naturally spread and I assumed a stance to throw a punch.

'Internal energy, move.'

I wanted to execute the same technique that Cheoljoong Dam had just shown. Tremble. A frighteningly eerie energy coiled inside my body responded to my will.

Swoosh.

As I clenched my fist, internal energy from my center shot into my fist at tremendous speed.

'Stop.'

The punch Cheoljoong Dam had demonstrated for me wasn't a fast one. It was slow, yet each one was filled with pride.

'Move slowly, carefully.'

My internal energy seemed to be following my commands better than before. The once-stalling energy slowly permeated my fist. Simultaneously, I threw a punch following the path Cheoljoong's had taken. I twisted my fist with all my might, and then...

'Rotate!'

Crunch.

As my arm rotated, the internal energy within my fist followed suit. My rotating fist exploded as it was thrust forward and the energy contained in it shot out.

'Oops.'

I didn't know how to keep my internal energy from shooting out like Cheoljoong. When I quickly opened my eyes, I saw him hurriedly avoiding the energy emanating from my fist.

Bang!

The fist-shaped energy struck the wall, causing it to collapse. The joy of successfully mimicking the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist was short-lived.

"Hmm."

Seeing the shattered wall, I realized I had caused trouble and made an embarrassed expression. But then...

"Th-thank you, Your Holiness!"

Cheoljoong Dam thanked me and suddenly sat down cross-legged on the floor. When I glanced over, I saw his internal energy fluctuating wildly.

"What, no way..."

Was he enlightened by something after seeing my punch?

***

The Fist Demon Master, Cheoljoong Dam, immediately sat down on the floor in awe after seeing the punch demonstrated by his leader. Honestly, even though Cheonma's martial arts was so great as to reach the heavens, he didn't think he could instantly break through a barrier to a higher level.

Still, holding onto a sliver of hope, he threw three punches in a row with all his might as the Leader instructed. He gave his best even when throwing a single punch. That was the philosophy of the Fist Demon Cult.

'Were my expectations too rash?'

After three punches, he'd expected the Holiness to say something. He wanted to get even the smallest clue about what he lacked, what prevented him from breaking through the barrier. However, the Leader said nothing after watching the punches he threw.

In that moment of disappointment...

Swoosh.

The Holiness closed his eyes and prepared to throw a punch.

'What is he doing?'

To Cheoljoong's knowledge, the Leader's main weapon was a sword. The swordsmanship he displayed during the bloody duel with the previous Leader had been awe-inspiring. Why was such a leader taking a stance to execute a fist technique?

The puzzled look in his eyes turned to surprise in an instant. This was because the energy gathering in the Leader's fist was incredibly similar to the skill — the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist — that Cheoljoong Dam had just performed.

'How did the Holiness master the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist?'

This wasn't a technique that could be understood after just three punches. Though he thought it was unbelievable, Cheoljoong started watching the Leader's punch. He thought there was no way a punch from the Leader could be ordinary.

And then, he threw his punch.

At first, he was surprised by how similar it was to the Defeated Hero's Divine Fist. Then, seeing the internal energy rotate at the final impact point of the punch...

'Ah!'

Bang!

The barrier that had been obstructing him collapsed. He had trained and trained relentlessly to advance to a higher level, but that was a brute-force method. Cheoljoong Dam had risen to the third rank within the Heavenly Demon Cult through such sheer savage training. He'd once thought he could reach a higher state through training alone, however, the barrier was thick and he couldn't find a way to break it.

But now...

'Applying what I know...'

He had always thought he was faithful to the basics, but that wasn't the case. The principle of throwing a punch naturally included rotation. He'd thought he knew well of that fact, but he hadn't thought to apply it.

'If I layer techniques on top of the basics and apply them...'

As that thought came to him, his internal energy began spinning wildly.

"Th-thank you!"

This was enlightenment.

Cheoljoong Dam realized it immediately. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude and sat down on the floor. He wanted to consolidate what he had just realized through breathing and meditation. While utilizing his internal energy, Cheoljoong began to rethink the Leader.

In the leader's early days, Cheoljoong knew about his martial talent through the previous leader, but he only recently understood that his martial talent had reached the heavens. He had foolishly challenged the weakened leader. He'd been ambitious, thinking he could become the Leader if he defeated him.

People assumed he was simple-minded, but Cheoljoong was a man who contemplated things.

'But the Leader...'

Instead, the Leader had identified what was lacking in his punch and pointed out the issues to help him grow further. He even demonstrated a punch outside his area of specialty so he could gain enlightenment by watching it with his own two eyes.

'I'm moved!'

With this enlightenment, Cheoljoong Dam could surpass the other masters of the Five Great Demon Cults. This fact meant the expansion of the Fist Demon Cult, one of the Five Great Cults.

There was a saying that one must always repay a favor. This was a natural duty.

Currently, Demonic Mind was the only one by the side of the Leader who was newly inaugurated. If Cheoljoong Dam, the Fist Demon Master, also pledged his loyalty to him, the other masters and the Council of Elders might also view him differently.

Beam.

His internal energy swirled madly, circling his body a dozen times. After completing the twelve cycles, his gathered internal energy rotated and returned to his center. The size of the internal energy remained the same, but its quality had changed. His breathing practice was over.

Flash!

As he opened his eyes, a flash sparked, and demonic aura began to flow from Cheoljoong's entire body. The Leader watched the scene with an indifferent expression. It seemed he had stood guard, watching over Cheoljoong while he practiced his breathing.

Even though Demonic Mind seemed to be waiting nearby, the leader continued to stand guard. Once again, Cheoljoong was moved. He quickly stood up and sent a fist and palm salute to the Leader.

Thwack!

The sound of fist and palm colliding reverberated through the training ground.

"Thanks to you, Your Holiness, I have gained enlightenment. Once again, I sincerely thank you and will pledge my loyalty to you from now on!"

The pecs of Cheoljoong Dam, the Fist Demon Master, bounced strongly.