"September 7, 10235 of the Iron Fist Calendar.
"Today, I went to the Fist God Temple again and listened to Lei Lie's lecture on the path of the Iron Fist.
"It's strange. The principles that I thought were perfectly justified in the past are nonsense when they come out of his mouth today. The more I think about it, the more confused I am.
"It's true that both weapons and machines will corrupt one's mind, making it impossible for one to focus on training and reach the ultimate level of the Void Shattering Stage.
"However, how many determined, talented fighters in the world can blow up the three barriers of the land, the sea, and the sky with their fists and reach the ultimate level of the Void Shattering Stage?
"Take me for example. I've practiced the 'Deep Sea Fist' with all my might, but I feel that this is the limit of my limits. Even if I were given another few decades and more resources, I would still be crushed to death by the terrifying pressure of a thousand mammoths in the deep sea.
"I am already one of the best talented fighters in the five hundred square kilometers around Red Gold Town, but I can only sigh when faced with the unreachable Void Shattering Stage.
"For most of the ordinary fighters, and even the ordinary people who are not talented and cannot train themselves, why can't they use the power of machines and steam to hunt ferocious beasts, defend their homes, and make their lives better?
"A real fighter's mind is as tough as iron. They will never be tempted by the power of machines and steam.
"On the other hand, if they are tempted, they are not real fighters, and they will not achieve much no matter how hard they train themselves. Since those people are not the loyal believers that the Fist God needs at all, why does it matter if they are allowed to study machines and steam?"
"September 30, 10235 of the Iron Fist Calendar.
"Today, Gus came back with bruises all over his face again.
"It seems that he was bullied in the Iron Fist School again.
"I saw it, and my heart ached, but I didn't know how to comfort him.
"Strength is king, and fists decide the outcome of a battle. This is the rule that the Iron Fist School, no, this world has operated for more than ten thousand years.
"People like Gus, who are not talented and good at martial arts, are destined to fall to the bottom of the world and be bullied and mocked for the rest of their lives. I can help him for a while, but can I help him for the rest of his life?
"My heart ached when I saw how dejected Gus was.
"A few days ago, I thought about burning this experiment log and cutting off all contact with those evil disciples. I wanted to forget everything and return to the path of the Iron Fist.
"But right now, seeing that Gus is still kneeling in the training room and begging for the Fist God's protection despite his bruises and confusion, I suddenly felt infuriated.
"The Fist God is so unfair!
"My son Gus is so pious to you. His training is more hardworking and crazier than any of his classmates in the Iron Fist School!
"Why can't you generously give him a little bit of strength so that he can stand up straight and be a decent man?
"If this continues, Gus' life will be ruined.
"I can forget everything and believe in the path of the Iron Fist forever, but Gus can't. I won't allow him to become trash and a joke.
"I've tried everything I can. I've already taught Gus everything I've learned in my life, but his problem is congenital. There are some pitiful people who are born with severed meridians, weak bodies, and powerless limbs, unable to practice superior 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 machines and steam, maybe Gus can live a better life in the brand-new world?
"Exactly. Gus has been a smart kid since he was a kid. He must like and be good at the power of machines and steam!"
Gus was already in tears when he read this part.
He bit his lips hard and tried not to cry out loud.
So, this is what happened.
As it turned out, his father fell into the path of evil because he wanted to make him stronger.
To be honest, Gus had already forgotten what kind of humiliation he had suffered on September 30 that year.
After all, being bullied and mocked by other people was nothing out of the ordinary for him. He had long been used to it.
But as the father of the one who was mocked, he could never get used to it.
Gus wiped away his tears silently and continued reading.
"November 20, Year 10235 of the Iron Fist Calendar.
"Steam army! Steam army!
"This is truly shocking news. It is said that the steam army has declared war against the Fist God Palace in the south. The first expedition army sent by the Fist God Palace was crushed by the steam army!
"In front of the power of machines and steam, in front of the surging tides made of burning steel bullets, even the power of the Fist God had to retreat!
"It's hilarious that in the north, where everything is stagnant, people are still fooled by the lies of the Fist God Palace. The whole world is like a dead body, and the parasites living in the body haven't smelled the scent of decay yet.
"I really want to go to the south and see the power of the steam army!
"But what about Li 'er, Grey, and Gus? Especially Li' er. She always listens to Lei Lie. How am I going to explain the truth of this world to her?"
'Li Er' was the mother of Gus and Grey.
When he wrote this diary, his father and mother were still alive. They were still a happy family.
Recalling the warmth and tranquility of the past, Gus couldn't help but put on a smile.
But the smile was soon extinguished by the cold wind and rain outside. Gus bit the back of his hand softly and forced himself to read the diary with the pain.
The last few entries were all about the parameters and results of various experiments, as well as the usage of some machines and steam weapons.
Gus also saw some secret altars of the Church of Machinery and Steam scattered in the north. Through them, he might be able to find the steam army in the south. That should be the information that his sister asked him to remember.
Gus also wanted to find some clues about the cause of his father's death from the experiment diary.
However, when he turned to the last page, it was still a normal experiment, complaints, and doubts, as if his father's death was very sudden.
Closing the diary, Gus looked at his sister who was in a coma and then at the demon 'Lu Qingchen' who was looking around.
"Tell me the truth of this world," Gus demanded the demon very seriously.
"I told you that you wouldn't like the truth," the demon replied with a smile.
"I've grown up. I'm capable of accepting the truth that I don't like," Gus replied. The cowardly young man seemed to have grown ten years older overnight.
"Then, what are you willing to give in exchange for the truth?" the demon asked.
"What do you want?" Gus asked back.
"Let me see … Usually, demons ask for the souls of human beings, right?"
Lu Qingchen smiled. "Gus, are you willing to exchange your soul for the truth?"
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