Chapter 243 - The Demonic Buddha Has It Just as Hard

The Demonic Buddha lived in a vast temple known as the Golden Buddha Temple. It consisted of dozens of buildings, large and small, most of them painted gold. The pagodas scattered throughout the grounds gleamed gold as well.

The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings stationed at the entrance to ward off evil spirits looked different from those at ordinary temples. They were so terrifying that they looked like demons themselves.

A great golden Buddha stood in the center of the temple. It was as large as the enormous stone statues erected throughout the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. It was said that once the Demonic Buddha brought his Golden Great All-Encompassing Demonic Art to its utmost level, one could see a great golden Buddha appear and disappear whenever he exercised his martial art.

Monks belonging to the Demonic Cult were ordinarily called demonic monks, but those of the Golden Buddha Temple were called mad monks, using the character meaning “madness.”

When I announced my arrival, an enormous mad monk came out to greet me.

“I will show you the way.”

I knew who this mad monk was. He was Great Madness, the Demonic Buddha’s right-hand man. Great in size, and great in madness, too. It would not have surprised me in the slightest if he suddenly attacked me and strangled me with those prayer beads.

Standing beside a man that huge made the Demonic Buddha look even smaller. Yet he had chosen this giant as his right-hand man. I wondered if he had chosen Great Madness to demonstrate that he had no inferiority complex whatsoever about his short stature.

Passing mad monks pressed their palms together and greeted me. I had heard that ever since I barked on the training ground, I had become quite popular here among these lunatic monks. Of course, since the Demonic Buddha fervently supported my brother, they officially supported him as well.

The Demonic Buddha was chanting in the main worship hall. I had only ever seen him accompanying my brother, so the sight of him reciting Buddhist scriptures in monastic robes and a ceremonial mantle felt utterly unfamiliar. The only thing that made the scene seem fitting for him was the golden Buddha statue, which looked far more frightening than an ordinary one.

After paying my respects to the statue, I quietly sat behind him. He showed no intention of finishing his chanting, so I closed my eyes and practiced the Heavenly Demon’s Body-Protection Art. Lately, I had been concentrating my training on two arts: the Heavenly Demon’s Body-Protection Art when I needed to remain aware of my surroundings, and the Secret Art of Heavenly Time when no one was around.

Every martial art I had learned mattered, but these two were particularly important. The Heavenly Demon’s Body-Protection Art was like an extra life. The Secret Art of Heavenly Time was essential to achieving complete mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art in time—perhaps, from now on, the most important art after the Nine Calamities Demonic Art itself.

Unfortunately, I was still studying the Secret Art of Heavenly Time’s formulas. They were so abstruse that putting the art into practice was no easy task.

How much time had passed?

The Demonic Buddha’s chanting began to grow louder, and demonic qi started winding around me. The Heavenly Demon’s Body-Protection Art activated naturally, protecting my body. Just as the chanting seemed to sound inside my head, a vision appeared.

Pitch-black darkness.

Far in the distance, a golden radiance appeared and began walking toward me. It was the Demonic Buddha. In this vision, he was tall. He walked right up to me and stopped. I could see the bewilderment on his face.

He reached out a hand, but it bounced back without crossing over. An invisible, transparent barrier stood between us, preventing him from coming through. He also seemed unable to see me on the other side.

I understood what had happened. He had tried to enter my mind with the Golden Great All-Encompassing Demonic Art to read it, only to be blocked. The Heavenly Demon’s Body-Protection Art had activated and barred his intrusion. Like the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the body-protection art I had learned was an absolute demonic art that took precedence over all others.

Looking discomfited, the Demonic Buddha turned and walked back into the darkness. The golden light vanished within it.

Why had he appeared before me so tall?

It occurred to me that perhaps, in that brief moment, I was the one who had glimpsed another’s heart. The chanting echoing in my head gradually faded, then disappeared.

When I opened my eyes, the Demonic Buddha had turned to face me. He looked shaken that his demonic art had failed. But he soon pressed his palms together and spoke as though nothing had happened.

“Second Young Master. I am glad you returned safely.”

“Thanks to your concern.”

I pressed my palms together in respect as well.

“Though wouldn’t you have been happier if I hadn’t returned safely?”

Slowly rolling his prayer beads, he replied, “The Buddha taught that all life is precious.”

To hear about the preciousness of life from a man who made me worry those beads might fly at me like hidden weapons!

My gaze naturally drifted toward the golden statue behind him. Looking at the Buddhist painting behind it, I said, “Those demonic monks are tearing people to death, though.”

At my unexpected remark, the corners of his mouth rose slightly. He was struggling to suppress an incredulous laugh.

“Why have you come to see me? If you wish to enter the Buddhist order, I will shave your head myself. That would be splendid. As you wish, there would be no need for brothers to shed one another’s blood.”

“I enjoy having fun too much. I’d violate the precepts in no time. My brother is steady and reserved, so he would be better suited to it. He has a prettier-shaped head, too.”

Our exchange sounded like banter, but we were locked in a tense battle of wills.

“The reason I came today...”

I paused before telling him.

“Is Operation Golden Grand Plan.”

By telling him its name, I set the operation in motion.

He asked with a suspicious look, “Operation Golden Grand Plan? What is that?”

“An operation to bring you over to my side, Demonic Buddha. Today is its first day.”

In the end, he could not hold back his laughter.

“I truly cannot deny that you are an unusual man. I concede that. I do.”

“You used to call me a lunatic. I’ve made progress, too.”

His laughter abruptly stopped.

“Do not dismiss the First Young Master. He will be the successor.”

“When I began visiting the Demon Supremes, I should have come to you first, Elder. Then you would be somewhere right now saying, ‘Do not dismiss the Second Young Master. He will be the successor.’”

He scoffed.

“You think that would have won me over?”

“What do you think would have happened?”

“Not a chance.”

Whenever I saw his unwavering loyalty to my brother, I regretted my first impression of him as a political monk consumed by the greed for power. He would have every right to feel wronged by it.

“Why do you like my brother so much?”

“Your brother...”

There seemed to be a reason, but he did not tell me. I had the feeling I would only hear it once he was on my side.

“I believe the First Young Master is better suited to be the Heavenly Demon.”

I nodded without speaking.

“Does that mean you agree?”

“I acknowledge that there must be areas where my brother is more thorough and capable.”

“Then yield to him.”

Instead of answering, I asked him, “Isn’t dealing with my brother difficult?”

“Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and the First Young Master? It will not work.”

“As I’ve said before, you are a little giant, Demonic Buddha. Having you is my brother’s greatest good fortune. Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me?”

He gave me a suspicious look. Knowing that he would not readily open his heart, I calmly conveyed my feelings.

“I once told you that I intended to end the killing between succession contenders with our generation. My brother’s pride makes it difficult for him to control himself, so I asked you to stay beside him and help. Do you remember?”

“I do.”

“I believe it is entirely thanks to you that my brother hasn’t gone out of control so far.”

“I told you that if the First Young Master went out of control, I would pour oil on the flames. That I would urge him to blow everything away. Why, then, do you believe I am holding him back?”

Looking directly at him, I answered calmly.

“Because I know my brother better than anyone. Without you beside him, he would not have held on this long.”

I meant it. Regardless of whether I succeeded in bringing him to my side, I was sincerely grateful to him for steadfastly remaining beside my brother until I could come to him like this.

“I’ll take my leave for today.”

I politely pressed my palms together in farewell. Without a word, the Demonic Buddha turned back around and resumed his chanting.

Our conversation had made one thing abundantly clear. Though he was the smallest in stature, he was the hardest man to win over.

This was only the beginning.

* * *

The next day, I approached the Demonic Buddha as he came out of the Golden Buddha Temple and greeted him.

“Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Would you join me?”

I had expected him to refuse, of course, but he readily accepted.

“Certainly.”

Seeing my startled expression, he asked, “Why are you so surprised?”

“I didn’t expect you to agree so easily.”

“There is one thing you misunderstand. I am a very mild and compassionate man.”

Mild and compassionate? He was delivering that shameless claim with a perfectly straight face.

“What a relief. I was planning to trail after you every day.”

He started walking, and I followed.

“What do you like to eat? Just say the word!”

Passing demonic martial artists looked at us. Their gazes seemed to ask whether even the Demonic Buddha was now spending time with the Second Young Master.

But he paid them no mind whatsoever. In the past, he would have been uncomfortable with the prospect of rumors reaching my brother and causing misunderstandings.

The Demonic Buddha walking resolutely ahead, looking straight before him... had certainly changed.

* * *

That evening, I visited the Blood Heaven Saber Demon again. Seo Daeryong had arrived after finishing work and was receiving martial instruction. Between his work at Yellow Springs Pavilion and his martial training, he was always the busiest of us.

“I’ll wait in your room.”

“Why are you here again?”

“Didn’t I say I was staying with you until I found an answer?”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon shouted, “Don’t lie on the bed without washing first!”

“It’s not as though any women come to that bed. Aren’t you putting on a bit too much of a show of being tidy?”

Seo Daeryong stepped up to defend his master, raising his voice.

“Who says no women come?”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon and I stared at him. His master was the more startled of the two of us.

“Don’t look down on my master!”

A heavy silence settled over us.

I spoke with my eyes. Daeryong, I don’t think this is helping!

He answered with his eyes. Pavilion Master, what do I do?

“Women used to line up for him in his youth! And he’s still hale and hearty.”

My eyes conveyed a groan, and at last his voice dwindled.

“... So don’t look down on him.”

Finally, he hung his head.

“I’ll prepare for hellish training starting tomorrow.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon spoke quietly.

“Tomorrow? You start now!”

* * *

Seo Daeryong’s training did not end until late that night. After sending his disciple home, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon entered his room. I had been reading until then. I could not remember the last time I had read a book that wasn’t a martial arts manual.

“Do you teach him this late?”

He nodded and answered, “The boy is bright. Teaching him is quite rewarding.”

“Despite appearances, he did enter Yellow Springs Pavilion at the top of his class, didn’t he?”

Sitting in the chair by the window, he asked, “But why is someone who ought to be carrying out a grand operation here?”

“I told you, didn’t I? Whenever I feel I’m facing a crisis in life, all I can think of is you, Elder.”

“Not easy, is it?”

“He’s impregnable. Bound up in loyalty to my brother. Rather like the bond between you and me, I’d say.”

“Then a single root of ten-thousand-year snow ginseng should solve it, shouldn’t it?”

Pretending not to hear, I sighed.

“It isn’t easy.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon smiled and told me about something that had happened before.

“I once had drinks with the Demonic Buddha at Merry Life Tavern. I asked him exactly the same thing then. ‘Not easy, is it?’”

“And what did he say?”

“He said it wasn’t easy, just like you. It’s amusing to hear both of you telling me that.”

I pictured the two of them drinking together. It must have been a particularly frustrating time for the Demonic Buddha, considering that he had gone drinking with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon at all. Behind the resolute front he showed me lay the anguish of a man who confessed to the Blood Heaven Saber Demon that it wasn’t easy.

Leaning by the window, I looked at the moon and repeated myself once more.

“It really isn’t easy.”

Once again, I felt that nothing was harder than winning someone’s heart. After my experiences with the other Demon Supremes, it should have become easier by now, yet relationships were always as difficult as if it were my first attempt.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon looked up at the moon with me.

“You’re trying to become the Heavenly Demon’s successor. How could that be easy?”

His words comforted me.

Then he spoke unexpectedly.

“Mugeuk.”

I started in surprise. It was the first time he had called me by name. My heart trembling, I looked at him. Still gazing up at the moon, he spoke evenly.

“I know how hard you’ve worked to win over us old men. When it gets difficult, you can stop and rest a while.”

Deeply moved, I gazed at him. The man who used to jab me in the ribs with disapproving looks was now becoming my haven. I was about to joke, asking what I would do without him, but he beat me to it.

“You couldn’t live without me.”

He looked at me with a smile, and I smiled brightly back.

“Thank you for saying that. I’ll take a little time to rest—”

It happened just then. A thought flashed through my head. If it wasn’t easy for me, and it wasn’t easy for the Demonic Buddha either?

“Ah! The Demonic Buddha must be struggling just as much as I am, mustn’t he? He isn’t showing it, but he must feel just as much urgency as I do, right?”

In the present situation, the best thing he could do was persuade me. That must also have been why he had so readily shared a meal with me today.

“I was too hasty. This isn’t the time to push with all my strength. It’s the time to start gently drawing him toward me.”

At last, the first concrete plan within Operation Golden Grand Plan took shape.