The Realm of No Self
Jeong Gwang stepped out of the inn alongside the others.
"Wow. There sure are a lot."
The inn was surrounded by countless young men glaring daggers at Jeong Gwang, grinding their teeth.
"Th-that... Hoo."
"Calm down. We have to hold it in for now."
They couldn't spit curses in front of Kunlun's veteran Taoists, but their clenched fists made it clear they were friends or acquaintances of the guys who'd gotten thrashed earlier.
Jeong Gwang scanned them and asked,
"You guys here for business with me?"
"......"
"Guess not. I'll head back in then."
"Wait!"
One young man stepped forward.
His expensive blue silk robes and sword at his side screamed Namgung family scion, just like the Namgung Jin-yeong who'd been carted off that morning.
"Namgung Jin-do of the Namgung family hereby challenges Taoist Jeong Gwang of Kunlun to a duel."
"Why?"
"......Does a martial artist need a reason to issue a challenge?"
"Because of that Namgung Jin-yeong guy?"
"......I won't deny it."
"And the rest of you are here for the same reason?"
"......"
No reply, but the situation was obvious.
"You've heard the story, so you know I didn't do anything wrong."
"You used your hands too harshly—that's why this happened."
"Watch your words."
"What?"
"It wasn't just me. My seniors pitched in too. Oh, and my junior brother."
The Jeong generation disciples wore awkward expressions. Baek Seung-mu, who'd been on the receiving end of a one-sided beatdown, looked particularly hard done by.
"I know. My business is with you alone. The others can settle their own grudges. Accept my challenge."
No more reason to hold back.
"Senior Uncle Masters. You heard all that, right?"
"Mm. Recount the whole thing from start to finish."
Jeong Gwang laid it out exactly as it happened.
The Un and Heo family disciples frowned.
Basically, jealousy sparked the whole mess, right?
They start shit over something like that, lose, and now come crawling for revenge?
Hot-blooded youths acting on emotion was understandable enough. But showing up again with elders present? That was no different from treating Kunlun like a joke.
As a chill settled on the Kunlun Taoists' faces, Yu Jeong-pung jumped in fast.
"What the hell are you doing in front of the elders?!"
"Young hero Yu, we..."
"Enough! You're embarrassing me! What were you even thinking?!"
"......"
Yu Jeong-pung didn't need an answer to know.
Kunlun was tucked away in remote Qinghai Province. These youngsters had probably never faced them directly, so they underestimated the sect a bit.
Twenty years of peace had eroded even their basic sense of the world.
"So damn immature! Scram! I'll pay a visit to your sects and families and give them the full rundown of today!"
The young men's faces drained of color as they hemmed and hawed.
Neither backing down nor pushing forward—they just stood there clueless.
Seeing it only fueled Yu Jeong-pung's anger.
These are the righteous sects' next generation? This is all they've got?
With Sima Lian rearing its head and the Murim Alliance reforming, blood was inevitable. How were they supposed to fight relying on clowns like these?
Yu Jeong-pung sighed and apologized to the Kunlun Taoists.
"My apologies. It's just their immaturity—please be generous."
"No harm done. No sense dragging you into the blame."
Un Hu took a moment to gather his thoughts.
Sending them off like this just sows grudges. Might as well...
Jeong Gwang's voice transmission arrived right on cue.
-Senior Uncle. Beat 'em now so they never crawl back.
-...Phrasing aside. Let's give a proper lesson.
-Got it.
-One condition: bedrest max one month.
-Send 'em to the grave in a month?
-No! Max one month in bed!
-Won't even break bones. I'll do my best.
After a few more stern lectures, Jeong Gwang finally stepped up.
"Duel accepted. Come at me."
"......!"
Namgung Jin-do drew his sword and closed in.
Jin-yeong said he got ambushed. Even factoring in his bragging, the guy's no big deal.
No room for carelessness, though. If he fell after his brother, how could he show his face?
"Draw your sword."
"Bare hands work fine."
"Planning to keep insulting me?"
Jeong Gwang, who'd been about to slap him silly, reconsidered.
Curiosity about Central Plains martial arts he'd ignored till now.
Only righteous sects here, but beggars can't be choosers. Might as well parry with sword and watch.
His sword slid free with a crisp ring.
"Drawn."
"Good. I'm Namgung Jin-do of the Namgung family. I'll unleash the Flashing Thunder Thirteen Sword Lightning and Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword—watch yourself."
Jeong Gwang usually hated opponents announcing techniques, but not this time.
"One at a time?"
"......Sigh. Fine. Flashing Thunder Thirteen Sword Lightning first."
"I'll go with Wandering Dragon Sword."
"......Not something higher-tier?"
"Higher? Lower? Just use what's right."
"......Let's see if that tongue's as sharp as your sword. Here!"
Namgung Jin-do's blade flashed. So swift the strokes unfolded before thunderous whooshes followed.
Jeong Gwang parried effortlessly, appraising the Namgung sword style.
Thunder qi cleaving space for the roar. 'Flashing' is a stretch.
Flash meant instant bolt. Per name and form, it should seize split-second chances with desperate speed.
But it kept going nonstop.
This is a downpour, not a flash.
He grasped the Flashing Thunder Thirteen Sword Lightning readily enough, but the wielder botched it.
Nothing left to see. Time to end... oh.
One more.
"Now the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword."
"......Grr! Eat this!"
Over twenty exchanges without gaining ground—Namgung Jin-do was getting antsy.
Jeong Gwang's casual prod flipped his style entirely.
Relentless shortest-path thrusts now roamed the air freely before darting in sharp.
Free changes laced with speed. As rumored, Namgung takes the heavens as foundation.
A skilled hand could weave something fun.
Jeong Gwang nodded absently; Namgung Jin-do bristled.
"Stop blocking and attack!"
"Was just about to."
"Hmph! Show me what you've got."
This'll sting.
Jeong Gwang's sword twisted like a living thing, toying with the firmament.
A dragon pierced the clear blue sky, and clouds began to gather.
"Argh! Ack!"
The sky didn't just fade—it shattered into a single sword that plummeted under Jeong Gwang's strike.
"I-it can't be! Me! A Namgung!"
"Not a Namgung problem—you're the mess. Clench those teeth."
"What?"
Crack!
"Gaaah!"
The flat of the blade launched Namgung Jin-do flying before he tumbled across the dirt.
"One down."
Jeong Gwang eyed the rest.
"Next."
To the young men, Jeong Gwang was strong—but not an unbreakable wall.
Forty-plus exchanges with Namgung Jin-do, victory on a lapse. That's how they saw it.
No one claimed superiority, but a wheel battle? Winnable.
"Iron Sword Sect's Yang Ki-taek here. My turn."
"Sure."
True to name, he swung a forge-steel sword. Nothing special.
Snap!
"Guh!"
"Next."
"Shansi Mad Wind Saber Clan's Tak Cheon-rib."
"Cool name."
Mad wind? Weaker than a fan swipe.
Crash!
"Aaaagh!"
"Next."
"......Divine Sun Sect's Lee Yeon-hoe. I know only the Eight Extremes Overlord Saber."
One art mastered?
Better than skimming many.
But.
Couldn't embrace the extremes—just spun feebly in place.
"Sigh."
Thwack!
"Urk!"
"Next!"
The youths hesitated but kept coming. Time on their side, they figured.
But.
Next.
Next.
Next.
Jeong Gwang dispatched them faster as time wore on. Few worth lingering over like the Namgung swordplay.
"Next."
"......"
"None left?"
"......"
He'd sampled righteous Murim arts.
Distinct flavors, some solid concepts—but mostly botched by wielders.
Even old Paeng Gang-hwi knew what he was doing. Takes Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes level for real thought?
Boredom set in.
"Alright, that's it. See ya."
"Wait!"
A fierce shout, and a man dropped before Jeong Gwang.
Broad shoulders, towering height.
Chiseled manly face, bold features.
Screaming "jianghu hero" from every pore!
Familiar silhouette, though.
Beggars' Sect Vice Leader Yu Jeong-pung.
"Watching boils my blood. Can't sit still."
Not like the one-shot on Namgung earlier.
Casually dismantling the wheel assault? Paeng Gang-hwi's words hit home now.
Yu Jeong-pung shut his eyes, recalling them.
'How strong is Jin-ok-ryong? Beyond imagination.'
'Next-gen wannabes? Not even close. I got wrecked.'
'Fifteen years old. Showed me the path.'
'Four years since. What're four years to him?'
Easy to picture.
'Plenty for one monster to evolve into a bigger one.'
That monster stood before him.
'Romance talk was excuse. Wanted to gauge your skills.'
Eyes snapped open.
"Beggars' Sect Vice Leader Yu Jeong-pung challenges Kunlun disciple Jeong Gwang...... Hey, brother! Where you going?!"
Jeong Gwang was already heading inside.
"Senior Uncles are dragging me off."
"W-well, can't be helped. Early tomorrow morning!"
"To fight? Short on time for 'that' anyway."
Yu Jeong-pung's face hardened.
His voice rang with unbreakable resolve.
"Of course—to learn 'that'!"
Jeong Gwang knelt before Un Hu.
"Show mercy in your strikes."
"Yes. Already was."
"More. More mercy."
"How much?"
"Like I said: max one month bedrest."
"That's kinda......"
"Fancy reading Dao scriptures together? Been a while."
"One month sounds perfect. I'll manage it."
"I trust you. Dismissed."
"Yes, Senior Uncle."
Jeong Gwang left Un Hu's room and headed to the annex where the Jeong generation stayed.
"Junior bro. Tough day."
"Got an earful? Unwind and rest."
A smile tugged at Jeong Gwang's lips.
Come to think—nineteen years already.
Not an eternity, but no blink either. These daily faces still by his side.
Not bad at all.
Unthinkable in his past life.
No reason to even dream it.
Everyone around him had fallen, one by one.
Inevitable, really.
"Uh...... Senior Brother."
Jeong Gwang snapped from reverie and turned.
Face full of bruises: Baek Seung-mu.
"Yeah?"
"The quick cultivation method for Lesser Pure Qi Art."
"Right. Teaching now."
"......Pardon?"
"Promised, didn't I? Cross-legged. I'll dictate the incantation."
"......Yes! Got it!"
No such thing in the past nineteen years—but his future junior brother needed strength.
Won't watch you die in front of me.
Past life wouldn't repeat.
He was sure of it.
But.
"......Still don't get it?"
"S-Senior Brother. It's me that's lacking......"
What an idiot.
No helping it.
Time to etch it into his body.
"......S-Senior? Wh-what're you—Aaaaagh!"
Jeong Gwang flooded Baek Seung-mu's body with qi, forcibly carving the paths.
Deliberately painful.
"Memorize it like this! Don't pass out!"
"Grrgh......"
Thwack!
"Ack!"
"Not paying attention? Think getting strong's easy?"
"I-I'll memorize!"
Baek Seung-mu endured deathly agony, focusing desperately.
Memorize and circulate it myself! That's how the pain ends!
Forget shortcuts—he just needed to survive first.
Qi Sea, Yin Intersection, Middle Cavity, Gate of Qi......
At some point, he slipped into the Realm of No Self.
Sheer survival instinct and martial yearning made it possible.