A heavy silence fell.

No one here had died, yet something had died. The arrogance, boasting, and pride that the Black Fists had carried until now had just been completely extinguished.

Naturally, the looks directed at me changed entirely. Awe, fear, anger. Each emotion reflected their individual personalities.

The silence was broken by Kwonma.

“Now do you understand why the sword is frightening?”

“Yes!”

The Black Fists answered loudly.

“When I first taught you fist techniques, I told you not to fear the sword. But now, you must know the sword’s fear.”

Sometimes you must not fear, sometimes you must. Both feelings together—that was the teaching Kwonma wanted to give his subordinates today.

“That’s enough for today.”

After saying that, Kwonma was the first to leave. Though he did not show it in front of his men, I could sense that he, too, was stirred by the divine power I had displayed.

The remaining Black Fists did not scatter as usual but stared at me. I saw eyes filled with reverence here and there. By nature, the Ma Jons respected the strong, and their desire to become strong was unusually intense.

Representing them, Cheon Sohui asked,

“Why do you want to learn fist techniques when you’re already this strong? Is it just the plaything of the strong?”

It was a very provocative question.

She was still shocked from the earlier move. At the same time, she was angry at her own helplessness. She never wanted to lose to anyone; perhaps that was why she might become the next Kwonma.

I calmly asked her back.

“How could learning fist techniques be a plaything?”

“Then why do you want to learn?”

Why? Because I felt the desire to tear down that cliff with these fists.

“When my sword flew toward you just now, my hands were empty. What if I had been attacked then? If the opponent was skilled enough not to give me the chance to retrieve my sword, what should I do? That is why I want to learn—to ensure that this fist, striking when the opponent is off-guard, will save me.”

Cheon Sohui stared at me intently. You might wonder whether I was sincere or not, but at her young age, it was impossible for her to read my heart.

After saying that, I left the training ground as well.

Just as the fates of all those connected to me were changing, theirs would change in some way too. I only hoped it would be for the better.

That night, I was practicing fist techniques.

I slowly and thoroughly practiced the basic forms I had learned—from the White Fist to the Black Fist. The secret fist techniques of Kwonma could only be learned properly if the basics were solid.

Pa-pa-pa-pang!

The sound of my fist striking the empty air was so satisfying. The desire to master Kwonma’s fist techniques and achieve great success surged inside me.

“Working hard even though it’s late.”

The one who found me was Kwonma. Every time I heard his calm voice, so contrasting with his terrifying face, I was surprised. Which was truer to his nature, his face or his voice?

In fact, I had expected him to come. I thought he would surely react to the skill I had just shown.

“Since I started late, I must work twice as hard.”

“Not twice but even ten times, I still won’t accept you as my disciple.”

“May I ask why?”

Kwonma did not answer, but the fire burning in his eyes answered for him. He wanted to fight me. He could not fight his disciple.

“So you want to fight me.”

Just as he had ignited a fire in my heart, I had done the same in his.

“I won’t fight.”

The moment I fought him, I would no longer be able to learn his fist techniques. There was only one way to learn from Kwonma. No matter the succession battle or political issues, none of it mattered. We had to be bound by martial skill. I must make him want to fight me until he has no choice but to teach me. That was my plan.

“Why won’t you fight?”

Like him, I gave no answer. Kwonma, staring at me, realized the meaning behind my refusal.

“You’re worried you’ll lose to me.”

Passion flickered across Kwonma’s expression. Since he became the Unbeatable, he had never experienced worry about losing. Everyone else only struggled to avoid dying by him.

“Lee Gongja, you needn’t worry about that. The martial art you learned was from the Sect Leader, so even if I lose, it won’t be shameful.”

I looked into the meaning behind his words.

“Do you want to fight or do you want to win?”

For a moment, Kwonma flinched.

“Is there a difference between the two?”

His tone was not arrogant but more like this.

“You’ve become so accustomed to winning that you can’t even feel the difference.”

He stepped forward boldly and pushed his face close to mine again. Seeing that terrifying face this close was more intimidating than a flying fist.

“What is it you want to say?”

I recalled what Geukak Soma had told me—that I’d know what kind of person Kwonma was when he lost.

“If Kwonma is Blood Heaven Kwonma or Geukak Kwonma, maybe. But as Unbeatable Kwonma, accepting defeat won’t be easy.”

“Do you think I’ll break a promise from the shock of defeat? What do you take me for!”

The Unbeatable Kwonma’s expression twisted fiercely. So terrifying that the ground beside him seemed to open and evil spirits would jump out from hell.

“Teach me fist techniques first. Then I’ll settle the match with you.”

Kwonma snorted with a look that said it was impossible.

“You must fight me first.”

With those words, Kwonma turned and walked away.

Sorry, but that’s not your defeat. As long as you’re obsessed with martial arts, as long as you’ve built the legend of being unbeatable, that defeat was mine.

I can wait, but you won’t be able to.

Cheon Sohui silently watched Sword Dance Extreme.

Despite the chaos of yesterday, Sword Dance Extreme participated in Black Fist training as usual. She immersed herself in training as if nothing had happened.

But the Black Fists were different. They appeared with gold chrysanthemum medicine on their sides and showed a different intensity than the day before.

“I was reborn yesterday.”

Some Black Fists openly said this.

Whether Sword Dance Extreme noticed this change and turmoil or not, he focused solely on training.

His movements were more precise than anyone else there, and he understood the forms better. Since he was the Sect Leader’s son, there was suspicion someone had secretly taught him the forms, but Sword Dance Extreme’s skill displayed yesterday erased all doubts.

“I have something to ask. Is it okay?”

Like the martial artists of the Red Fist, some Black Fists began ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ asking Sword Dance Extreme about the forms.

“Of course.”

Sword Dance Extreme sincerely explained what was asked.

In just one day, the Black Fists’ atmosphere had changed so much.

After training ended that day, Cheon Sohui approached Sword Dance Extreme.

“I lost the bet, so I will keep my promise. Tell me what you want to ask.”

Then Sword Dance Extreme said something unexpected.

“Make me Kwonma’s disciple.”

Cheon Sohui stared at Sword Dance Extreme with a momentary stunned expression.

“Then make me the successor of the Sect Leader.”

She said it thinking it was a joke.

But soon she realized from Sword Dance Extreme’s expression that he was serious.

“You’re not joking.”

“Of course I’m not.”

“I’m not even a disciple yet, so how could I make you my disciple?”

At this point, Kwonma had not officially chosen any disciples. Being a perfectionist in martial arts, Kwonma did not decide disciples lightly.

“That’s your problem since you lost the bet.”

“I never thought you’d make such an absurd request.”

“Then why didn’t you say so at the time? You should have put limits on your request.”

“Well... I thought anyone with common sense would make a reasonable request.”

“Really? Or did you not say anything because you thought you’d win?”

She had no rebuttal. Sword Dance Extreme’s words were true. When making a bet to grant a request, she was going to say that unreasonable demands were not allowed. But instinct stopped her.

Of course it was a bet she would win, so she thought there was no need to say that.

“Fine, I admit it.”

Sword Dance Extreme smiled. If he had not been so honest, he would have teased her more.

“What are you admitting? When someone makes such an absurd request, you should firmly refuse and forget it.”

She looked at Sword Dance Extreme with a momentarily confused heart.

He was truly unpredictable.

She turned away, walking a few steps before stopping. Since she had lost the bet, her pride was hurt to leave like this. She turned back.

“Fine, let’s say I have that ability. Even so, if you become my disciple, my chances of becoming a disciple will decrease. I wouldn’t help you.”

“That’s wrong. If I become a disciple, your chances will increase.”

“Why is that?”

“Taking the first disciple is difficult, but afterward, it’s like a floodgate opens. You’ll accept the second and third disciples. And I will strongly recommend you as my senior disciple.”

“Me? Why?”

Sword Dance Extreme looked at her calmly.

“Because I think you’ll do better than anyone else. You seem the most suitable to be the next Kwonma.”

I thought it was a joke again, but Sword Dance Extreme’s expression was serious.

A passion rose in her chest. She had never heard such words since entering the Eastern Fist Gate.

She and her peers, seniors, and juniors all had only pursued being number one. They ran as if they would die if they were eliminated from White Fist to Black Fist.

Though they had all suffered together, she had never sincerely said kind words to anyone. Nor had she heard such words.

Rather, she secretly hoped others would suffer more than her. That they would be eliminated from the competition. So she could become Kwonma.

Sword Dance Extreme, whom she had met only a few days ago, said such words without hesitation. They had never exchanged such words in all those long years.

It wasn’t bitterness from not hearing them—it was a strange feeling of confirming the narrowness of her own heart that she had never shared with anyone.

“You don’t even know me!”

She shouted in anger and turned away.

That night, Cheon Sohui could not fall asleep easily.

Sword Dance Extreme’s words kept coming to mind. Was she really the one suited to be Kwonma?

Tossing and turning, she could not hold it in and went to Sword Dance Extreme’s quarters.

It was late, so she didn’t expect to meet him. She just went because she felt restless. To her surprise, Sword Dance Extreme was practicing martial arts.

He was so focused that she could not even greet him. She stood quietly, not wanting to disturb.

After finishing a round of forms, Sword Dance Extreme sat on a flat rock in the yard and asked,

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Cheon Sohui sat beside him. She did not dislike the smell of his sweat.

“It’s late, but I came because I had to check this. If I really become your disciple, will you recommend me as your senior disciple?”

“I will.”

How much could she trust? When Black Fist comrades gather to drink, they always say no one can be trusted. That is the first rule to survive long in the martial world.

“My goal is to learn Kwonma’s martial arts. Whether I succeed to Kwonma’s position, I will become your senior disciple.”

At such a tempting moment, she couldn’t decide clearly.

“The senior disciple with Cheonma as master.”

Yes, this is why people fall for it. Even knowing it’s sweet talk, the heart races and deceives.

If this is a ploy to use me? After being used fully, I’d be annihilated? Her mind recalled Sword Dance Extreme’s sword. The sword passing through her face would say, naïve woman.

Right then Sword Dance Extreme spoke calmly.

“Life isn’t easy, is it?”

That soft word struck her heart.

For a moment she wanted to shout. What did he think he knew about me? That life is easy? That I’m doing fine? What’s so hard? Just run hard, run more, keep your eyes on the top.

But the words flowing from her mouth conveyed her heart more than her head.

“...Not easy.”

Without realizing, she answered like that. She had never shown weakness to anyone. Never told anyone life was hard. Had endured well so far.

At the moment she admitted that, tears streamed down her cheeks. She was startled by the sudden tears. They came without warning.

Could tears fall so suddenly? Her emotions were not sad at all. Having never cried before as an adult, she was very surprised.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Just as she hurriedly wiped the tears with her sleeve, someone entered and said,

“As expected! Investigator Seo was right—the world’s biggest flirt. First fate brought love, now he even makes women cry.”

Sword Dance Extreme smiled brightly at the newcomer. Cheon Sohui was startled. She had never seen such a beautiful woman before.