Chapter 721: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (29)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 721: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (29)
Once, during training, my father said to me:
“In the Central Plains, there are those known as the Seven Steel and Three Fists.”
The heat was scorching. It was a strange thing to say amidst a heat that felt like it could melt the entire training hall.
“All of a sudden?”
It was out of the blue, but my father continued as if he didn't mind my confusion. This happened often when I trained with him; he would tell me things I hadn't even asked. Sometimes, it was to the point where I wondered if he wasn't a bit too talkative.
Still, I never chided him for it. How should I put it?
“Decades ago, during the war with the Unorthodox Faction, they showed great strength.”
I simply felt that these moments weren't so bad.
“The Celestial Plum Blossom of Mount Hua was one of them. As were the Sword Immortal of Wudang, the Fist Emperor of Zhejiang, and the now-deceased Qinghai Sword.”
He went on to mention a few other figures. I couldn't help but notice a strange nuance in his words. While he used honorifics for the Celestial Plum Blossom, the Qinghai Sword, and one other, his tone bordered on condescension when referring to the other members of the Seven Steel and Three Fists.
“Their power is great. Each one is like a clan unto themselves.”
“I see.”
“If you ever happen to meet them, be careful. They are not only powerful, but their minds are deep and sharp.”
I’m sorry, Lord of the clan, but your son doesn’t lose in that department either.
I barely managed to stop myself from saying it out loud.
“Then, are you saying they are stronger than you, Father?” I asked as a joke.
I already knew, to some extent, that they were no match for him. But upon hearing this, my father stared at me silently for a moment before speaking.
“They might be able to tickle me.”
“…”
He said it so calmly that it sounded like a simple fact, which made it even more terrifying.
* * *
In any case, perhaps because of this current meeting, that memory suddenly came to mind. I pushed the recollection aside and looked straight ahead.
A gracefully aged old woman sat before me. She was one of the Seven Steel and Three Fists my father had spoken of. Specifically, she was one of the Three Fists: the Pink Moon Fist Immortal.
One of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains. One of the Three Fists among the Seven Steel and Three Fists. This was the old woman’s identity. She was said to be over eighty, a figure who had lived through the era of war with the Unorthodox Faction. She was also the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, one of the Ten Sect Alliance, and a heroine who represented the Central Plains.
Her martial art was characterized by heavy fist strikes that utilized the unique aspects of Buddhist techniques—or so I had heard.
To think such a powerful fist could come from those thin arms.
It was impressive enough that her back wasn't stooped despite being past eighty, but her slender forearms, devoid of any visible muscle, didn't look powerful no matter how I looked at them. A graceful old woman. A grandmother who might run a wealthy merchant association. That was the general impression she gave.
Hmm…
Looking at her, I secretly swallowed. Her thin body, which looked like nothing but bones, and the way she drank tea with her withered fingertips truly made her seem like a powerless old woman, but…
That’s only on the surface. Her insides are a different story.
She was by no means weak. Do you know who you should never trust in the Central Plains? Women and the elderly.
Most of the bastards who mindlessly trained their martial arts had their dicks fused with their brains, making many of them no different from beasts. The ones with a bit of sense used this to their advantage, employing honey traps. That’s why the Murim Alliance and other clans kept beautiful servants by their side.
…The Gu Clan is relatively normal in that regard.
Then again, they're just as rotten on the inside. Whether it's the Unorthodox or Orthodox Faction, they're all dangerous. Because of that, I had made it a habit to be wary of women.
Even in my past life, if they did something to piss me off, I'd just burn them to death.
A beautiful woman approaches me, saying she likes me? There's nothing more dangerous or suspicious than that. I couldn't trust it, and I shouldn't trust it.
Though they usually ended up dead at the hands of the Demonic Sword Queen before they could even get close.
I heard the Alliance sent a few, and hostile factions constantly tried something. But the Demonic Sword Queen found them disgusting and sliced up every woman who approached, so it happened relatively infrequently. In any case, in the Central Plains, women—especially beautiful ones—were beings to be wary of.
As for the second reason the elderly are dangerous… it's simple. The older they are, the stronger they get.
A martial artist's internal art is based on the years they've spent honing it. Since they supplement their internal energy through breathing, their power is proportional to the years they have lived. They say a martial artist's physical peak is past the age of forty, but for internal energy, time is everything.
Of course, one could supplement it through fortunate encounters or elixirs… but that only increases the quantity. Increasing the quality is another story. Even with the same amount, the meaning contained within is different. A life lived becomes enlightenment that seeps into one's Qi, and that Qi elevates a martial artist's worth above all else.
…That's why the Ten Great Masters and the Three Venerables are so strong.
Among those who hold such positions now, the relatively younger Six Seats are based on influence. The Ten Great Masters and the Three Venerables, however, hold their positions through sheer strength alone. All together, there were thirteen of them. Considering the youngest among them is past sixty, it's impossible not to know how terrifying the elderly are in the Central Plains.
But that Fist Immortal grandmother fits both categories.
A face that must have been beautiful in her youth, and a profound number of years lived. She was a person who possessed both of these perilous possibilities. What’s more… she was strong.
The Pink Moon Fist Immortal was, in fact, incredibly strong. I could tell just by looking at her. Her weakness was only skin-deep; inside, she was packed to the brim.
Right now, there are two among the Ten Great Masters known to be close to the level of the Three Venerables.
The Celestial Plum Blossom of Mount Hua and the Sword Emperor of the Murim Alliance. Having met them both in person, I could be certain.
That grandmother is not lacking either.
I didn't mean she was on par with the Three Venerables, just that the Fist Immortal was by no means weaker than the Sword Emperor. She was completely "full." The Qi she held was so vast I wondered how it fit in that small body, and the vessel containing it was solid.
There are no openings.
Even as she sat drinking tea, I couldn't see a single opening. If I launched a surprise attack, would it land? A doubt arose. The fact that I felt doubt instead of certainty was proof that this old woman was a formidable master.
Of course, I was the one who made her unable to let her guard down.
Hmm.
This won't be easy. Just as I was thinking that, she spoke.
“This is a sudden meeting, yet you've received me. I thank you.”
Hearing her, I raised the corners of my mouth. “You are none other than the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect. I would make time for you no matter what.”
“…Indeed.”
Listening to her calm tone, I asked a question of my own. “So… why has the Sect Leader come to see me?”
I had been surprised since the morning. People were already crowding in front of the surrounding residences, claiming they were here to see the Dragon Warrior. Amidst all that, how could I not be surprised to hear that the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect had come to see me?
Not an elder, but the Sect Leader herself.
She was a person whose face was rarely seen. Since such a figure had come in person, I had to see her, if only out of curiosity.
Gulp.
Clink.
The sound of her drinking tea was followed by the teacup being placed on the table. In that moment, an unknown energy spread throughout the room.
Fwoosh.
It was a Qi barrier. It seemed the Pink Moon Fist Immortal had cast it to ensure privacy.
Thump.
Fwoooosh—!!
The moment I felt it, I too unleashed Qi from my heart. It devoured the Qi barrier she was creating and filled the room with my own power.
“Hah?”
The Pink Moon Fist Immortal let out a short breath. She clearly hadn't expected me to interfere with her barrier.
“My apologies. However, this is my room. If a Qi barrier is to be cast, isn't it right that I be the one to do it?”
How dare she try to spread her Qi in my territory. I had no intention of tolerating it in the slightest.
At that, the expression of the woman next to the Fist Immortal soured. She seemed to be the Sect Leader's guard.
“You bastard! Do you know who you're talking to…!”
Shing—!
Angered by my attitude, she momentarily tried to draw her sword.
Shhhk—!
“!!”
But before she could, the edge of a blade was already at her throat. Seong Yul, who was with me, had drawn his sword in the blink of an eye. Fast. That guy's speed was no joke.
Seeing it, I suppressed a smirk. He's right there. Somewhere between the perfected Peak Realm and the Fusion Realm. The wall that had kept Seong Yul in that ambiguous position was now right before him. It seemed he was at a point where he'd cross over with just a slight push.
“…Ghk…”
Instantly subdued, the guard's face turned pale. She must not have expected Seong Yul to be faster than her. The situation had become rather tense. I immediately looked at Seong Yul.
“Put it away.”
“Yes.”
As the command was given, Seong Yul immediately sheathed his sword. The woman who had been subdued contorted her face in humiliation. The only regrettable thing was that it ended there.
“What a shame.”
“What?” At my words, the woman's gaze snapped to me.
I met her eyes and spoke coldly. “If you had drawn your sword again, I was planning to rip your arm off with it.”
“…!”
It was a deeply insulting remark. If she had any pride, she would draw her sword now.
“Grk—!”
No sooner had I thought that, the woman moved her body, but her action was cut short. The Fist Immortal had reached out and stopped her.
“Sect Lead—”
SLAP—!
The sound echoed through the room. The woman's head whipped violently to the side.
Oh.
I watched the scene with fascination. The Fist Immortal hadn't moved her hand. Yet the woman had been slapped.
Did she hit her with Fist Qi? Or… Did she hit her with the Heart Fist? It was a shame; I should have paid closer attention.
It probably wasn't the Heart Fist. If she'd used that, the woman's head wouldn't have just turned; it would have been shattered.
“There will not be a second time. Do not commit any further discourtesy.”
“…My apologies…” At the Fist Immortal's words, the woman shrank back like a mouse.
I watched the scene with great interest.
“My apologies. The child has been discourteous.”
“Yes, it was a very grave discourtesy. But out of respect for the Sect Leader, I will let it slide this once.”
“…”
Hearing my words, the Fist Immortal's brow furrowed slightly. It didn't matter.
“So, what business brings you here that you would even cast a Qi barrier?”
“Hahaha…”
Was my attitude the problem? The Fist Immortal let out a short laugh. And then, her tone subtly changed.
“How curious.”
“What is?”
“I could tell the moment I saw you, but… why is it that you…” Her eyes narrowed. “Do not hide your power?”
“Hmm?”
At her words, I tilted my head, acting as if I didn't understand. “What's the point of hiding it? It'll be found out anyway.”
“…”
I couldn't fully grasp the Fist Immortal's realm, but I could get a vague sense of it. Which meant it was no different for her. The Fist Immortal could see me too. If I tried to hide it, it would be obvious, and in the first place… I had no intention of living in hiding anymore.
There was no need for that now. The time had long since come. All I needed was a catalyst, a justification, and a resolution. In such a situation, what was there to hide?
No. I had already hidden everything that needed to be hidden; this was just the part I no longer needed to conceal.
Silence fell between us. We faced each other for a moment before the Fist Immortal spoke again.
“…Is that so.” She nodded her head as if in reluctant understanding. “Heavenly Dragon, Dragon Warrior… I was looking in the wrong place. The real deal was here all along.”
“I'll take that as a compliment. So, Sect Leader, this is the third time I'm asking. Why did you come to see me?”
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yes.”
“I heard that a young lady by the name of Pi Yeonyeon is with you. Is that correct?”
Thankfully, she got straight to the point. Even more thankfully, it was a matter I had anticipated.
“Ah. You mean Young Lady Pi.” I nodded as if I just remembered.
Pi Yeonyeon. A martial artist from the Xi'an Pi Clan. It was Bongsun's alias. This confirmed that the Emei Sect was looking for Bongsun. So, what should I do? This, too, was something I had decided long ago.
“Yes. She is a young lady I am sponsoring.”
“Sponsoring?” At my words, a peculiar light entered the Fist Immortal's eyes.
“I happened to see her while visiting Xi'an. Her talent was outstanding, but her background was lacking, so I decided to sponsor her.”
I spoke without pause, my mind racing with calculations. Her objective is Bongsun. The question here was: is the reason the treasure… or Bongsun herself? That part was still ambiguous.
Just then, the Fist Immortal spoke to me. “Do you happen to know? About Pi Yeonyeon. About what kind of being that child is.”
Wow. Hearing that, I thought to myself: I told her to get to the point, and she drops a bomb like this. Nice. In that case, I should play along.
“Yes. I do.”
“…!”
At my unhesitating answer, the Fist Immortal's eyes widened. Her reaction was amusing. Did she not expect me to answer like this?
“You know…?”
“Yes. Well… more or less?”
“What is it that you know—”
“Conversely, does the Sect Leader know?”
“…!”
“About Young Lady Pi Yeonyeon. What is it that the Sect Leader knows?”
Two consecutive questions. My words sealed the Fist Immortal's lips.
Now, how will you respond?
She was probably deep in thought. This outcome was decided the moment I answered that I knew. I know. If so, what do I know? Is it the same as what she knows? Or is there something else about Pi Yeonyeon?
Such questions would sprout, but she couldn't ask them easily. The problem was that those possibilities would also seal her own lips. She couldn't just carelessly spew out information. If what I knew was different from what she knew, the only one to lose out would be her. This was a situation I had created.
“Hah… Truly a snake-like child.” Noticing this, the Fist Immortal spat out the words with meaning.
I smiled back at her. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“And so impudent. You know full well that the Fist Immortal of the Emei Sect is before you. Do you not fear the great disaster that could befall you?”
“I hear that often… but seeing as I'm still alive and well, I'd say it's an acceptable attitude. Others have quite liked it.”
Impudent. Disrespectful. Annoying. Arrogant. I'd heard it all, but I had yet to be punished. If they tried to threaten me, I killed them. If they said they didn't like me, I crushed them.
Trickle.
I refilled my empty teacup. “Would you care for another cup?”
“…I would.”
After pouring some for the Fist Immortal as well, I spoke. “Since the Fist Immortal asked first, allow me to ask something as well.”
I hadn't gotten an answer, but it didn't matter.
“Is the Emei Sect's objective Young Lady Pi, or is it the object she possesses?”
“…”
A direct question. At my words, the air in the room instantly grew heavy.
Creeak…
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
The table began to shake rapidly.
“…You.”
A heavy energy brushed against my cheek. The Fist Immortal's presence began to grow stronger.
“Well, now.”
Feeling it, I let out a soft sigh. Why do people keep making a fuss in someone else's home? It's so annoying.
Kuuuuuuuung---!!!
I put strength into my heart and released my Qi. It pressed down on the Fist Immortal's presence, slowly tearing it apart. She must not have expected this either; not only her Qi barrier but also her presence was being suppressed, and her eyes widened in shock.
Looking at her, I spoke. “The old lady keeps trying to use her strength. Is she in a hurry to ascend?”
Trying to crush me with force just because I provoked her a little. Honestly, humans who've aged poorly are the biggest problem. Or is the Central Plains itself the problem? From my perspective, it was both.
Whatever the case, with them being so violent, a nice person like me would always have to suffer. How could I live with such injustice?
The Fist Immortal's Qi grew denser, and my power pressing down on it grew stronger as well.
Crack.
A sound came from the roof. At this rate, the whole residence was going to collapse. If I let it collapse, Lady Mi might get angry. I'd heard from Moyong Hi-ah that this was a residence Lady Mi cherished.
Recalling that, I sighed inwardly.
“Since it's come to this, shall we make things simple?” I said to the Fist Immortal, controlling my power. “After all, there's something the Sect Leader is curious about, isn't there?”
“…”
The Fist Immortal's eyes were murderous. No answer came, only killing intent added to her Qi. Ah, this grandmother has a nasty temper.
So annoying.
So I had no choice.
“Since it's come to this, how about a match? To keep things clean?”
“…What?”
“The loser answers the winner's questions. How about it?”
I said it with a smile, but the Fist Immortal's expression twisted into an even deeper scowl.