Fortuitous Encounter
The weakness of my Demolishing Fist wasn't anything else. It was this body itself.
Of course, that didn't mean it had absolutely fragile durability. Quite the opposite—if it was because of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, or the secret of my birth, or maybe both—this body was tough as nails.
Even so, compared to the overwhelming, ferocious energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, my body's durability falls short.
Other fist techniques distribute their energy during emission to adequately protect the body.
But I wasn't emitting energy.
It was more like brute-forcing rampaging power into my fist and detonating it.
In fact, after using my Demolishing Fist, the damage varied slightly with the power output, but it usually left wounds deep enough to expose bone. Not just surface scrapes—according to Pa Cheon, every time I used it, the meridians in my fist got damaged too.
Even if it healed quickly, it was still tough to use again for at least a few hours.
Pushing it further in that injured state could lead to permanent disability.
If the Vajra Needle could solve that durability issue...
The Vajra Needle lived up to its name—it was diamond-hard.
At the very least, I wouldn't have to hold back after just one use anymore.
"I am grateful for your grace."
"Nonsense. If anything, I am the one who received a favor."
Dang Mugi showed the faintest hint of a smile for the first time, then quickly sobered up and spoke.
"What of the family traitor, Dang Si Yul?"
"I loaded him onto one of my spirit beasts and sent him back to the Tang Clan."
"In that case... I must return before that bastard pulls any more schemes."
Dang Mugi valued family and blood ties above all else.
That was why Dang Si Yul, who had harmed his clan and retainers, no longer seemed like family to him.
"Understood. I'll head back once I'm recovered."
"Very well. Come to the house."
With that, Dang Mugi departed.
Only after he was gone did the tension drain from me, and I unfolded my legs from the lotus position.
Instead, I leaned back against a massive tree nearby, its trunk over ten feet around.
The dark green stain starting from my wrist had spread, nearly covering my entire hand and reaching my elbow.
But the spot where the Vajra Needle was embedded looked noticeably lighter.
The adrenaline from the Poison King's appearance had made me forget for a moment, but it still hurt like hell—worse than any pain I'd felt in my normal life back in reality.
I'd wanted to go home before, but now I really wanted to go home sooner.
Circulate the Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy.
"Doing that hurts like hell. Feels like it's on fire."
You must. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is the supreme energy that tolerates no others—not even poison.
"Ugh."
Gritting my teeth, I forced the Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy into my arm, mustard down my throat and all.
I wasn't an expert in meridians or energy circulation, but perhaps because of where Dang Mugi had placed the Vajra Needle, the energy flowed naturally along that path.
As the founding Heavenly Demon had mentioned—and as I'd felt many times—this energy often seemed alive.
It detected the poison and reared up like a snake spotting prey, probing aggressively.
Soon enough.
A sense of intent transmitted back.
That intent could be summed up in two words.
How dare you.
How dare you invade this body without permission.
The arrogant king of ten thousand demons wouldn't tolerate an intruder.
And so—
Krraaaack!
Like a massive tidal wave sweeping everything away, it began devouring the invading poison.
Every time the enraged Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy surged through my meridians, thick black veins bulged across my arm.
It felt like shards of glass rolling through my veins instead of blood—a dizzying agony.
"Guh!"
It's common sense not to open your mouth during energy circulation... but whatever. No point enforcing rules now.
Yeah, Pa Cheon's chatter was at least distracting me.
Just in case, I tore a strip from my robe hem and stuffed it in my mouth. Clenching too hard could shatter teeth—that was a wuxia cliché.
But my endurance paid off.
The dark green energy that had spread to my elbow began fading.
Dang Mugi had said to expel the poison, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Art was different. It straight-up devoured it.
By the time the poison permeating my entire arm had nearly vanished, it lost interest in the toxin.
Instead, it turned its attention elsewhere.
To the Vajra Needles stimulating meridians all over my arm.
That's not good.
Like a curious child, the energy poked at the needles' power.
Being prodded where they pierced my meridians sent electric tingles through me.
The energy had driven out and shredded the poison demon's toxin.
But the Vajra Needles were different.
Upon sensing them, the energy rippled contentedly, as if pleased.
No, not pleased—more like delighted...
Snap!
Suddenly, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art yanked the needles inward.
"Grk!"
The sensation of needles piercing through living flesh was horrifying.
But the worry and pain were fleeting.
Meeting the energy, the Vajra Needles melted like liquid, spreading across my entire hand like a thin coating.
And it didn't end there.
In the process, the remnants of the poison demon's toxin fused with the needles' energy.
"Whoa."
I spat out the cloth rag and let out a pure gasp of awe.
What's up?
Forgetting to even reply to Pa Cheon, I stood up. My arm no longer throbbed or tingled.
The green stains enveloping it had vanished completely.
So I...
"Hup!"
...tested the Demolishing Fist. Aimed at the tree I'd been leaning against.
BOOM!
The massive tree shattered into splinters.
The Vajra Needle's power was incredible.
Normally, my hand and fingers would be mangled, bones exposed. But they were fine.
And that wasn't all.
Sizzle—
For some inexplicable reason, the splintered wood began melting like it had been doused in strong acid.
"This is that legendary fortuitous encounter you only hear about—or at best, witness from the sidelines?"
Others wielding grand techniques might scoff at it, but from my perspective, it was mind-blowing.
If this world's story was a web novel, its title would surely be something like "The Protagonist Never Gets Fortuitous Encounters" or "Everyone Levels Up Except Me."
I was the guy who always felt left out among geniuses who trembled at a single casual remark, sat in lotus position, and gained enlightenment on the spot.
And now, a fortuitous encounter was swirling around me—
Sudden enlightenment hit me.
"Damn it all."
Happy one second, depressed the next—what rhythm am I supposed to follow here?
"It's not that... I just realized even this is governed by clichés."
What do you mean?
"If I were truly this world's protagonist... there's only one way for me to get stronger."
And that is?
I looked down at my hand.
"A brush with death."
[......]
Come to think of it, the protagonist of Murim Returner, Mu Jin, suffered every imaginable hardship.
Imprisonment was routine, traps everywhere, torture a daily occurrence.
Yet the story was popular because it showered him with fortuitous encounters in return. That's how it even resolved his "heaven's curse" of blocked meridians.
In other words, if I wanted encounters too, I couldn't just solve things comfortably like usual—I had to be pushed to the brink of death.
Monster.
Pa Cheon spoke up.
Sometimes, it feels like you're comparing yourself to some other person or situation I don't know about.
"...You're a ghost now, huh."
Sealed in a sword for ages—what else would I be? Anyway.
Pa Cheon continued.
Tell me, monster. When you compare yourself to that imaginary guy, who's doing better?
"Well, that's..."
Obviously, me.
The original Mu Jin returned suspected as a traitor and faced endless trials. He got manipulated by Sado Gwang without realizing how terrifying he was, and got captured by the yandere Heavenly Demon who'd gone dark from obsession.
His loyal subordinate Sa Wol was long dead, while I had Tak Horak sparkling with enthusiasm, constantly tormenting Mu Jin in the original.
After all that suffering and chaos, Mu Jin barely cured his blocked meridians and scraped a win over Peak realm.
Sure, there were long/short-term differences, but in short-range clashes, I could beat Peak experts and hold my own against Super Peak.
It wasn't just raw power.
I had Sa Wol and Tak Horak to trust my back to, and I'd seized nearly all the Six Demonic Families, starting with Sado Ga.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan is now a solid ally in the central plains, and Kunlun Sect will likely be friendly too. Un Yeop Ja gave us a token, after all.
"Right."
So, any reason to mope over comparisons?
But Sado Gwang...
Sado Gwang, Meng Wei Xuek, whatever.
Pa Cheon floated up into the air, blade facing me as if meeting my gaze.
In the end, what you must overcome isn't others—it's yourself. You've done well so far, so don't doubt it.
"Hey, Pa Cheon."
Yeah?
"When did you grow up so much? Good boy."
I was always bigger—you saw it in the Red Dragon's mental world.
"Not what I meant, but anyway."
I gripped Pa Cheon.
"Yeah. Just live fiercely, moment to moment."
Predict and prepare for future events, but no need to obsess or worry.
The Tang Clan officially announced their young clan lord.
Not the expected eldest, Dang Si Yul, but the third son, Dang Si Hyeok.
Publicly, Dang Si Yul was said to have suffered a grave injury during a mission, making him unfit for clan lord duties, so he was focusing on recovery.
They also formally enfeoffed the Eastern Sword Dragon, Kim Dong Yun.
Thus, the young clan lord appointment ceremony for Dang Si Hyeok and the enfeoffment ceremony for Eastern Sword Dragon Kim Dong Yun shall be held. All fellow martial artists of the central plains are requested to attend and offer congratulations.
The handsome man who finished reading the letter aloud was a calm, composed youth. His long hair was tightly bound with a hero's band, framing thick brows and eyes gleaming with sharp light.
"Is Little Hwang there?"
"Yes, Young Clan Lord."
He called out to the voice beyond the door.
"Inform Father. Looks like it's time to visit Sichuan after all these years."
"Understood!"
The man incinerated the letter with Samadhi True Fire. Confirming it fully burned, he rose and approached the window.
It was a high pavilion overlooking the world below.
Gazing down at it in blue robes, his expression brimmed with pride.
"Eastern Sword Dragon. Wonder what kind of man he is."
On the back of the man's long robe were the characters for "Azure Heaven."
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon