3446

“September 7, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Today, I went to the Fist Hall and listened to Lei Lie’s explanation of the ‘Iron Fist Art’.

“It’s really strange. In the past, I felt that it was only right and proper, but today, when it comes out of his mouth, it’s utter nonsense. The more I think about it, the more I don’t understand.

“It’s true that both blades and machines can erode one’s will, making it impossible for one to focus on training and break the limits of the body of flesh and blood to the ultimate level of breaking the void.

“However, how many iron-willed, talented warriors in the world can blow up the three barriers of ‘earth, deep sea, and sky’ and break the void?

“Take me for example. I tried my best to master the ‘Fist of the Deep Sea’, but I feel that this is the limit of my body. Even if I have decades and more resources, I will only be squeezed to death by thousands of mammoths in the deep sea.

“I am already one of the most talented boxers in the five hundred square kilometers around Red Gold Town. Faced with the unreachable ‘Shattering Space’, I can only sigh helplessly.

“For the vast majority of ordinary boxers, and even those ordinary people who are not talented, have a broken body, and are unable to cultivate, why can’t they use the power of machinery and steam to hunt ferocious beasts, defend their homes, and make their own lives better?

“A true Striker’s will is as hard as steel. They will never be tempted by the power of machinery and steam.

“On the other hand, if you are tempted, you will not be a real Striker. You won’t achieve much no matter how hard you train yourself. Since they are not the loyal believers that the Fist God needs at all, what’s wrong with letting them study machines and steam?

“September 30, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Today, Gus returned with a swollen face.

“It seems that he was bullied in the Iron Fist School again.”

“I saw it and felt pain in my heart, but I didn’t know how to comfort him.

“The strong reigns supreme, and victory is determined by one’s fists. This is the Iron Fist School, no, this world’s ten thousand year old rule.

“For someone like Gus, who is not talented and is not good at martial arts, he is destined to be at the bottom level of the world and be humiliated and ridiculed for the rest of his life. I can help him for a while, but can I help him forever?

“Seeing the devastated look on Gus’ face, my heart ached.

“A few days ago, I thought of burning the experiment log, cutting off all contact with the evil Cultivators, forgetting everything and returning to the path of the Iron Fist.

“But right now, seeing that Gus was kneeling in the training room begging for the Fist God’s protection even though his face was bruised and swollen, I suddenly felt furious.

“How unfair the Fist God is!

“My son, Gus, is so devoted to you. His training is more hard-working and crazy than any student in the Iron Fist Academy!

“Why can’t you be generous enough to give him some strength so that he can stand straight and live a decent life?

“If this goes on, Gus’s life will be ruined.

“I can forget everything and believe in the path of iron fists forever, but not Gus. I will not allow him to become a waste and a joke.

“I’ve used up all my methods. I’ve already taught everything I’ve learned to Gus, but his problem is congenital. It’s just that there are some poor people whose congenital meridians are severed, their bodies are weak, and their limbs are powerless. They are unable to cultivate high-grade fist techniques.

“Since I can’t change Gus, maybe I can change the entire world?

“If this world is no longer ruled by the Fist God but dominated by the power of machinery and steam, maybe Gus can live a better life in a new world?

“That’s right. Gus has been smart since he was a kid. He must like and be good at ‘machines and steam’!”

Seeing this, Gus was already in tears.

He bit his lips hard and tried not to cry.

So that was it.

As it turned out, his father fell into the demonic path in order to make him stronger.

To be honest, Gus had forgotten what kind of humiliation he had suffered on September 30 of that year.

After all, he was used to other people’s bullying and mockery.

But as the father of the victim, he was never used to such things.

Gus wiped his tears silently and continued reading.

“November 20, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Steam Legion! Steam Legion!”

“What earthshaking news! It is said that the Steam Legion has declared war on the Temple of Fist in the south, and the first expedition army sent by the Temple of Fist has been crushed by the Steam Legion!

“In front of the machines and the steam, in front of the raging iron bullets and the surging tides, even the Fist God had to retreat!

“It’s funny that people are still fooled by the lies of the Temple of Fist in the secluded northland. The entire world is like a dead body, a parasite that has been living inside the body for too long to smell the scent of decay.

“I really want to go to the south and see the might of the Steam Legion!”

“But what should I do about Li’er, Grey, and Gus, especially Li’er? She always listens to her big brother, Lei Lie. How should I explain the reality of the world to her?”

‘Lil’ was the mother of Gus and Grey.

When he wrote the journal, his parents were not dead yet. They were still a happy family.

Recalling the warmth and tranquility of the past, Gus could not help but smile.

But the smile was soon extinguished by the cold wind and rain outside. Gus bit the back of his hand and made himself focus his attention.

The last few entries were the parameters and results of various experiments, as well as the usage methods of mechanical and steam weapons.

Gus had also seen the communication methods and secret signals of the secret altars of the ‘Mechanical and Steam Sect’ in the north. Through them, he might be able to find the Steam Legion in the south. It was probably the information that his sister wanted him to memorize.

Gus also wanted to find clues about the cause of his father’s death in the experiment log.

However, when he turned to the last page, it was still a normal experiment with complaints and doubts, as if his father had died very suddenly.

Closing the log, Gus looked at his unconscious sister and then at ‘Lu Qingchen’, the devil who was looking around.

“Tell me the truth of this world,” Gus demanded of the devil solemnly.

“I said that you wouldn’t like the truth,” the devil replied with a smile.

“I’m old enough to accept the truth that I don’t like,” Gus replied. The timid young man seemed to have grown ten years older overnight.

“Then, what are you willing to trade for the truth?” the demon asked.

“What do you want?” Gus asked back.

“Let me see… Usually, devils demand the souls of human beings at such times, don’t they?

Lu Qingchen smiled. “Brother Gus, are you willing to trade your soul for the truth?”

“September 7, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Today, I went to the Fist Hall and listened to Lei Lie’s explanation of the ‘Iron Fist Art’.

“It’s really strange. In the past, I felt that it was only right and proper, but today, when it comes out of his mouth, it’s utter nonsense. The more I think about it, the more I don’t understand.

“It’s true that both blades and machines can erode one’s will, making it impossible for one to focus on training and break the limits of the body of flesh and blood to the ultimate level of breaking the void.

“However, how many iron-willed, talented warriors in the world can blow up the three barriers of ‘earth, deep sea, and sky’ and break the void?

“Take me for example. I tried my best to master the ‘Fist of the Deep Sea’, but I feel that this is the limit of my body. Even if I have decades and more resources, I will only be squeezed to death by thousands of mammoths in the deep sea.

“I am already one of the most talented boxers in the five hundred square kilometers around Red Gold Town. Faced with the unreachable ‘Shattering Space’, I can only sigh helplessly.

“For the vast majority of ordinary boxers, and even those ordinary people who are not talented, have a broken body, and are unable to cultivate, why can’t they use the power of machinery and steam to hunt ferocious beasts, defend their homes, and make their own lives better?

“A true Striker’s will is as hard as steel. They will never be tempted by the power of machinery and steam.

“On the other hand, if you are tempted, you will not be a real Striker. You won’t achieve much no matter how hard you train yourself. Since they are not the loyal believers that the Fist God needs at all, what’s wrong with letting them study machines and steam?

“September 30, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Today, Gus returned with a swollen face.

“It seems that he was bullied in the Iron Fist School again.”

“I saw it and felt pain in my heart, but I didn’t know how to comfort him.

“The strong reigns supreme, and victory is determined by one’s fists. This is the Iron Fist School, no, this world’s ten thousand year old rule.

“For someone like Gus, who is not talented and is not good at martial arts, he is destined to be at the bottom level of the world and be humiliated and ridiculed for the rest of his life. I can help him for a while, but can I help him forever?

“Seeing the devastated look on Gus’ face, my heart ached.

“A few days ago, I thought of burning the experiment log, cutting off all contact with the evil Cultivators, forgetting everything and returning to the path of the Iron Fist.

“But right now, seeing that Gus was kneeling in the training room begging for the Fist God’s protection even though his face was bruised and swollen, I suddenly felt furious.

“How unfair the Fist God is!

“My son, Gus, is so devoted to you. His training is more hard-working and crazy than any student in the Iron Fist Academy!

“Why can’t you be generous enough to give him some strength so that he can stand straight and live a decent life?

“If this goes on, Gus’s life will be ruined.

“I can forget everything and believe in the path of iron fists forever, but not Gus. I will not allow him to become a waste and a joke.

“I’ve used up all my methods. I’ve already taught everything I’ve learned to Gus, but his problem is congenital. It’s just that there are some poor people whose congenital meridians are severed, their bodies are weak, and their limbs are powerless. They are unable to cultivate high-grade fist techniques.

“Since I can’t change Gus, maybe I can change the entire world?

“If this world is no longer ruled by the Fist God but dominated by the power of machinery and steam, maybe Gus can live a better life in a new world?

“That’s right. Gus has been smart since he was a kid. He must like and be good at ‘machines and steam’!”

Seeing this, Gus was already in tears.

He bit his lips hard and tried not to cry.

So that was it.

As it turned out, his father fell into the demonic path in order to make him stronger.

To be honest, Gus had forgotten what kind of humiliation he had suffered on September 30 of that year.

After all, he was used to other people’s bullying and mockery.

But as the father of the victim, he was never used to such things.

Gus wiped his tears silently and continued reading.

“November 20, year 10235 in the Iron Fist Calendar.

“Steam Legion! Steam Legion!”

“What earthshaking news! It is said that the Steam Legion has declared war on the Temple of Fist in the south, and the first expedition army sent by the Temple of Fist has been crushed by the Steam Legion!

“In front of the machines and the steam, in front of the raging iron bullets and the surging tides, even the Fist God had to retreat!

“It’s funny that people are still fooled by the lies of the Temple of Fist in the secluded northland. The entire world is like a dead body, a parasite that has been living inside the body for too long to smell the scent of decay.

“I really want to go to the south and see the might of the Steam Legion!”

“But what should I do about Li’er, Grey, and Gus, especially Li’er? She always listens to her big brother, Lei Lie. How should I explain the reality of the world to her?”

‘Lil’ was the mother of Gus and Grey.

When he wrote the journal, his parents were not dead yet. They were still a happy family.

Recalling the warmth and tranquility of the past, Gus could not help but smile.

But the smile was soon extinguished by the cold wind and rain outside. Gus bit the back of his hand and made himself focus his attention.

The last few entries were the parameters and results of various experiments, as well as the usage methods of mechanical and steam weapons.

Gus had also seen the communication methods and secret signals of the secret altars of the ‘Mechanical and Steam Sect’ in the north. Through them, he might be able to find the Steam Legion in the south. It was probably the information that his sister wanted him to memorize.

Gus also wanted to find clues about the cause of his father’s death in the experiment log.

However, when he turned to the last page, it was still a normal experiment with complaints and doubts, as if his father had died very suddenly.

Closing the log, Gus looked at his unconscious sister and then at ‘Lu Qingchen’, the devil who was looking around.

“Tell me the truth of this world,” Gus demanded of the devil solemnly.

“I said that you wouldn’t like the truth,” the devil replied with a smile.

“I’m old enough to accept the truth that I don’t like,” Gus replied. The timid young man seemed to have grown ten years older overnight.

“Then, what are you willing to trade for the truth?” the demon asked.

“What do you want?” Gus asked back.

“Let me see… Usually, devils demand the souls of human beings at such times, don’t they?

Lu Qingchen smiled. “Brother Gus, are you willing to trade your soul for the truth?”