Chapter 76: Spreading Fame (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Spreading Fame (3)
‘Hmm.’
I looked back and forth between the two men.
One was the Ghost-Slaying Fist Demon, Jang Mun-ryang, curled up on the floor like a shrimp and fast asleep. The other was Song Jwa-baek, sitting cross-legged and focused on his breathing.
It had already been about an hour since the internal energy transfer through the Spirit Command Point began.
Sama Yeong had stepped out for a moment.
Since it seemed likely that the Beggar's Sect disciples would flock here once that spit-filled inauguration ceremony was over, I had asked her to tell Jo Seong-won to keep them away for now.
True. The bad breath of those beggars is no joke.
In the meantime, I was unintentionally standing guard alongside Song Woo-hyeon.
Jang Mun-ryang had transferred almost all of his internal energy to Song Jwa-baek.
The internal energy of a superhuman who has broken through the wall must amount to at least several hundred years' worth.
It was a literal miracle.
However, to handle such an immense amount of energy, Song Jwa-baek’s body was undergoing a transformation.
The first change was the expulsion of impurities. A black, liquid-like substance was oozing out through his skin.
The second change was the opening of his meridians. The sheer force of that energy was clearing all the blockages in his Conception and Governor Vessels.
‘This guy is born lucky.’
Come to think of it, his luck has been surprisingly good ever since he met our master, Hae Ak-cheon.
Well, I suppose that’s why he achieved such fame before my regression.
It shouldn't take too much longer.
The true qi that was wandering aimlessly through his body is gradually settling into his dantian.
However, he lost nearly half of the energy during the process.
There’s no need to feel bad about it.
Those energies were simply being expelled because they didn't suit his body.
Even if internal energy all looks the same, it forms differently for every individual. When you take in someone else's energy, it’s only natural that the parts incompatible with you are cast out.
Of course.
And it might be even more effective because of his constitution.
A special constitution with rapid blood circulation—the very thing Master spent his entire life searching for.
Because of this, Song Jwa-baek’s energy circulation is fast enough to be on a completely different level from ordinary people. That might be why he succeeded in making nearly half of that massive energy his own.
Shall I?
It’s not like I’ve just been standing still for the past hour.
Using the power of Heavenly Secret, I retraced the memories of the Lesser Conversation Sword and repeatedly watched the forms of the Myriad Family Spirit Art that Jang Mun-ryang had displayed.
I didn't stop there; I performed the forms myself and then repeated them within the Heavenly Secret.
‘Even I think this is a cheat.’
Heavenly Secret allows one to master martial arts in a short period because the flow of time within the vision is different from reality.
Of course, the mental strain was significant, but after breaking through the wall, I could repeat the process dozens of times without a problem.
Just as I was about to start another round of training within the Heavenly Secret...
"Phew."
Song Jwa-baek, who had been circulating his energy, opened his eyes.
A bright, clear light emanated from them.
"Pu... Puhahahaha!"
Song Jwa-baek burst into a mad laugh, unable to contain his joy.
I would probably react the same way.
Not only had he reached the Supreme Peak Realm, but in terms of pure internal energy, he was standing right before the wall.
In a single stroke, he had become a master on par with a Venerable of the Blood Cult.
He stood up and spoke to his brother, Song Woo-hyeon, who had been standing guard.
"Hey. Try headbutting me with everything you've got."
"A... A headbutt?"
He was overflowing with confidence.
Even after reaching the Peak Realm, Jwa-baek had been no match for Woo-hyeon. It seemed his pride had been quite wounded during that time.
"With everything?"
"Yeah. Everything!"
"Alright."
Song Woo-hyeon’s skin turned a bronze hue as steam began to rise from his body.
Since he was told to give it his all, he was even manifesting the True Blood Golden Body.
He was about to trigger the secret technique, Red Blood Golden Body, when Song Jwa-baek hurriedly stopped him.
"No, wait. That’s going too far."
"O... Okay."
Without activating the Red Blood Golden Body, Song Woo-hyeon launched a headbutt at Song Jwa-baek.
As the headbutt came flying like a charging bull, Song Jwa-baek spread his legs into a horse stance and tensed his abdomen.
Thud!
"Urgh!"
Song Jwa-baek’s face turned slightly red from the impact of Woo-hyeon’s flying headbutt.
The force was so great that he was pushed back about two steps.
Then, a powerful repulsive force erupted from Jwa-baek’s abdomen, sending Woo-hyeon, who had delivered the blow, bouncing backward instead.
Flop!
Woo-hyeon, having been bounced back, spoke with wide eyes.
"B... Brother, your body got hard."
Normally, he would have been knocked unconscious, but having reached the Supreme Peak Realm, his capacity had increased so much that he could withstand the impact even without the True Blood Golden Body.
"Hahahaha! Of course. It’s because your big brother is much stronger than you now."
He was absolutely delighted, having lived under a shadow for so long.
Then, he turned his gaze toward me.
"Let’s spar once. I want to see what level I’ve reached."
His confidence was more than full; his fighting spirit was at its peak. To the point where he was even asking to spar with me.
Well, I understand.
Now that he’s become this strong, it’s only natural he’d want to test it.
He took a qi control stance while looking at me.
I asked him, "At what level should I handle you?"
"Don't hold back. I need to know exactly how strong I’ve become."
"Is that so?"
Then I guess I don't have to hold back.
I was curious about his level myself.
"Since you're a greater master than me, you'll let me have the first move, right?"
"As you wish."
At those words, he immediately lunged at me.
Despite asking for a spar, he was unleashing a finishing move as if he intended to land a proper hit.
Papapapapapapak!
His fist shadows filled the space in front of me.
It was indeed a fist technique worthy of a Supreme Peak master.
However, looking closely, those fist shadows were all feints, and I could see the true strike hidden within.
Indeed.
The problem is that I can see right through it.
Amidst the flurry of fist shadows, his fist surged toward my chest like a cannonball from below.
I simply caught his fist with one palm.
Smack!
"!?"
"That was simple."
"Uh..."
Bewilderment spread across his face. His expression said, This isn't how it was supposed to go.
No matter if he reached the Supreme Peak Realm, I had already broken through the wall. Did he really think such a simple feint would work on me?
Tremble!
He tried to pull away by pushing his internal power to its limit, but I didn't budge.
"Damn it."
Realizing it wasn't working, he swung a kick toward my head.
At that moment...
Snap!
I stepped back with my right foot and pulled the fist I was holding, spinning his body around.
"Gah!"
His body spun once and was slammed into the ground.
Thud!
"Urgh..."
A sound like air escaping his lungs leaked from his mouth.
Blinking his eyes, Song Jwa-baek said to me, "Th-this feels similar to the 'Cunning Severing Form' of the Myriad Family Spirit Art?"
"Correct. I performed it as a simplified essence."
Once you understand the core intent of a martial form, it’s possible to perform complex techniques as simple essences.
At my words, Song Jwa-baek looked dumbfounded.
"No... how could you do that after seeing it only once?"
I learned it through Heavenly Secret while you were meditating.
There was no need to explain that, so I just gave him a relaxed smile.
Song Jwa-baek muttered as if it were absurd.
"You monster."
It seemed he was fed up with the fact that he was still no match for me even after his power had surged.
I chuckled and said to him, "Keep practicing hard. That’s the only way you’ll fulfill your role as the Right Guardian."
"What?"
Song Jwa-baek’s eyes went wide as he stared at me.
He probably never expected me to mention the position of Right Guardian.
Not only within our cult but in the entire martial world, Supreme Peak masters are few and far between. Even if he reached that realm through a stroke of luck, I couldn't just leave someone of that caliber in the position of a mere Unit Leader.
"If you don't want it, then never mind."
"Wh-who said I didn't want it!"
"Your attitude is a bit disrespectful for someone who wants it, though."
Flustered by my remark, he quickly corrected his posture and bowed, touching his forehead to the floor.
"Song Jwa-baek, the Right Guardian, respectfully accepts the Cult Leader's command."
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue.
Leave him be.
Seeing his shoulders shaking, he’s clearly overjoyed.
I wasn't sure if he was happy about getting the position of Right Guardian or about gaining the privilege to act like a friend when we were alone.
Maybe.
Anyway, I wonder how Jang Mun-ryang will feel when he wakes up.
He just donated all of his internal energy to a complete stranger in an instant.
*
The Star Tower of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect in Peerless Fortress.
In the office on the eighth floor were the Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek and the Flying Moon Swordsman Ha Seong-un.
Seomun Geuk, the leader of the Literary Spear Style who was in charge of the eighth floor, was reporting on external events happening throughout the Central Plains.
Then, a significant name was mentioned.
"It’s about Young Master So Woon-hwi—no, Young Master Jin."
The leaders of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect knew that So Woon-hwi, the disciple of the Namcheon Sword Guest, was actually Jin Un-hwi.
Of course, since they hadn't completely seized control of the interior of Peerless Fortress yet, only Jin Seong-baek and Ha Seong-un knew that his true identity was the Blood Demon.
At the mention of his grandson, Ha Seong-un showed interest.
"Oh! Yes, how is the boy doing?"
The last news they had heard was that he had withdrawn funds from the Yeogyeong County branch in Guizhou Province using Jin Seong-baek’s sect leader token.
It was welcome news after a period of silence.
"News of Young Master Jin has come from the Ohyeon Port in Anhang County, northern Hunan Province."
"A port?"
Ha Seong-un was puzzled by the sudden mention of a port.
Seomun Geuk continued.
"I do not know the reason, but Young Master Jin participated in a transport bid as a guest escort for a small agency called the Hwangyeong Escort Agency."
Ha Seong-un frowned and looked at Jin Seong-baek.
He couldn't understand what the boy was up to.
Based on the rumors, he had clearly taken control of the Blood Cult, so it was unclear why he was suddenly participating in an escort bid under the identity of the Namcheon Sword Guest’s disciple.
Jin Seong-baek, stroking his beard, sent a sound transmission.
[If he went to a port on the Yangtze River, I think I understand.]
[What do you mean by that, son-in-law?]
[It seems he is beginning the unification of the Evil Faction in earnest.]
[Unification of the Evil Faction?]
[The Eighteen Waterway Strongholds of the Yangtze River would be the first step.]
[Ho... That child has truly begun his path as the Blood Demon.]
[It would seem so.]
[But for the leader to move personally instead of sending subordinates... it must be dangerous.]
[That is likely why he is using his identity as the disciple of the Namcheon Sword Guest.]
Though he was staying within Peerless Fortress, Jin Seong-baek’s insight was extraordinary.
Because he knew Jin Un-hwi’s true identities, he was able to piece together the information from the rumors and correctly deduce his goals.
Seomun Geuk said to them, "Please do not be shocked by the report I am about to give."
"Has something happened?" Ha Seong-un asked worriedly.
"It appears the Young Master had a duel with the Wolf King."
"What?"
"With the Wolf King?"
Both men were shocked simultaneously.
And for good reason.
"Is the Wolf King, Hyeok Cheon-man, not one of the Eight Great Masters?"
"That is correct, Father-in-law."
"Why on earth would that boy duel the Wolf King?"
Seomun Geuk answered the question.
"It seems the Wolf King, Hyeok Cheon-man, was acting as the judge for the escort bid the Young Master participated in."
"So what happened? Is he safe?"
At that, Seomun Geuk’s lips twitched before he broke into a wide grin.
"Congratulations are in order."
"Congratulations? What do you mean?"
"The Young Master displayed a divine authority equal to that of the Wolf King, Hyeok Cheon-man."
"No... is that true?"
Ha Seong-un could not hide his astonishment.
He knew his grandson, Jin Un-hwi, was the Blood Demon, but he had never imagined he was that strong.
However, his father, Jin Seong-baek, who had some idea of Jin Un-hwi’s martial prowess, nodded.
"If it is that child, he certainly possesses the martial power to face the Wolf King."
"Is that really true?"
Jin Seong-baek replied with a voice full of pride.
"As his father, I guarantee it."
"Ho..."
However, there was something even Jin Seong-baek didn't know.
The fact was that the Wolf King, Hyeok Cheon-man, was not the weakest among the Eight Great Masters as he had believed.
Regardless, what father wouldn't be pleased by his son's achievements?
The corners of his mouth crept up, a rare sight for the man known as the Merciless Wind God.
Seomun Geuk said to them, "That is not all."
"Not all?"
"The escort ship the Young Master was on was reportedly attacked by a mysterious group."
"What! What do you mean? A mysterious group?"
"According to the information received so far, the identity of the group is unknown. However, the one leading the attack was one of the Four Great Villains, the Ghost-Slaying Fist Demon, Jang Mun-ryang."
"J-Jang Mun-ryang!"
Following one of the Eight Great Masters, now one of the Four Great Villains was mentioned, and Ha Seong-un could not hide his bewilderment.
The duel with the Wolf King was for a bid, but if one of the Four Great Villains led an attack, the situation was entirely different.
They had met as enemies.
While Ha Seong-un was anxious, Seomun Geuk’s lips were twitching again. It was as if he were holding back laughter.
"What happened? Why are you smiling?"
"Please do not be shocked. It is said that Young Master Jin defeated that member of the Four Great Villains, Jang Mun-ryang."
'!!!'
At those words, even the Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek’s eyes widened in shock.
As far as he knew, his son Jin Un-hwi’s capacity was still insufficient to compete with superhumans who had broken through the wall.
"Is that really true?"
"It is true. The entire martial world is in an uproar right now."
"An uproar?"
"It is said that Young Master Jin performed the legendary Sword Flight Art and wiped out Jang Mun-ryang and that mysterious group using the Sword Control Art."
Watching Seomun Geuk speak with such excitement, Ha Seong-un and Jin Seong-baek were left speechless.
Even more than defeating Jang Mun-ryang, the mention of Sword Flight and Sword Control was quite a shock.
‘Sword Control Art? Has that child really broken through the wall?’
It didn't seem to be a lie.
One cannot even dream of the Sword Control Art without breaking through the wall and reaching the realm of superhumans.
Furthermore, the fact that he applied it in actual combat was shocking.
There was no technique as inefficient as the Sword Control Art in a chaotic melee.
‘Ha... how much time has even passed?’
Jin Seong-baek clenched his fists.
Even though he was his own son, he couldn't help but think he was a truly remarkable martial talent.
A laugh threatened to escape him.
"I don't know what I'm hearing anymore. That child is truly..."
Ha Seong-un muttered, letting out continuous exclamations of wonder.
Seomun Geuk continued excitedly.
"That’s not all. Recently, rumors have been circulating that he also fought and defeated the Blood Demon, who is known as one of the Five Great Villains."
'!?'
At those words, Jin Seong-baek and Ha Seong-un both tilted their heads in confusion at the same time.