Killing Intent
Baek Seung-mu covered his face with both hands and bolted away.
Using Flying Dragon Chasing Lightning—a technique he could never quite pull off properly no matter how hard he tried.
This guy...
Jeong Gwang was mildly surprised.
He wasn't just chasing lightning—he was overtaking it, hurtling forward with that kind of momentum.
So he's got a knack for real combat after all.
What if he kept throwing him into actual fights to train?
He might never end up getting beaten to death anywhere.
Should've done this from the start.
Jeong Gwang clicked his tongue inwardly.
I've gotten too softened by the righteous factions.
Was it because he'd reincarnated in Kunlun and lived as a Taoist for nearly twenty years?
Compared to his previous life, he'd become far too lenient.
After all, martial arts bloomed in the crises that danced between life and death.
Nothing was as efficient for training as real combat, so how had things ended up like this?
He needed to overhaul the training regimen for Baek Seung-mu and the other Kunlun Taoists, starting now.
What methods were there again...?
A flood of highly efficient techniques he'd seen and experienced in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came to mind.
The most reliable one among them...
Hold life-or-death duels every week.
They'd have no choice but to train like mad just to avoid dying.
Wait. Every week?
Might be a bit too intense.
He'd need to give them time to adjust.
A rough plan took shape.
Start with once a month and gradually ramp up the frequency.
He wasn't planning to turn it into a true slaughterfest.
The goal was to create an environment laced with that tension for their training.
We'll need a ton of medicine. Oh, right—the Tang family.
The golden sore salve and internal injury pills he'd made himself were for true life-and-death moments.
For training injuries, the Tang family's remedies would suffice.
First, I need to meet the Tang family head... Hm?
As he sorted his thoughts, he felt people's gazes on him.
Those who'd seen Jeong Gwang before looked impressed; newcomers stared in a daze.
"What are you doing hanging on that wall?"
"......"
"You can't peek into other sects' quarters. It's rude."
"......!"
Their faces flushed red.
They'd only peeked because of Baek Seung-mu's absurd shout, but it was undeniably impolite.
Jeong Gwang added one more line.
"Go ahead and resume your fight. Watch while you're at it. Have a good one."
The crowd stared blankly as he vanished into the lodging, then turned away.
There stood Geol Jon Yun Hui-gu and Chang Jon Ak Man-chun, looking utterly drained from the bout.
The faces of the two absolute masters twisted horribly.
The Murim Alliance buzzed with astonishing rumors.
'Geol Jon and Chang Jon fought!'
Eyewitnesses raved about the heaven-shaking, earth-shattering clash.
Most hadn't even followed it properly, but that was beside the point.
And there was another rumor.
The emergence of a new prodigy.
'Kunlun has a Jade Dragon!'
Not just any Jade Dragon—a true one.
A young Taoist named Jeong Gwang, with a dazzlingly handsome face.
"They say Fist Phoenix Eon Ui-jin openly showed her favor."
She'd denied it vehemently, turning pale, but no one bought it.
"Countless young men who admired her challenged him, and he laid them all out flat on their beds?"
Impressive enough on its own—but it didn't end there.
"Do you know Poison Phoenix Dang Ye-ji swallowed a poison she'd researched her whole life? They say he's deeply versed in poisons too!"
Poison Phoenix had called him "Young Master," and the jealous Sword Dragon challenged him—only to end up shitting himself.
"Hah. A prodigy like that? Hard to believe."
"But why did Geol Jon and Chang Jon fight right in front of Kunlun's quarters?"
"Wait. This is starting to add up..."
And so the rumors spread.
"The two old fogeys lost their minds!"
"They both fell for Fist Phoenix and Poison Phoenix like fools and went to pick a fight with the Jade Dragon!"
"They quarreled over who got to strike first and brawled!"
Most dismissed it, but it made for entertaining gossip.
As eyewitness accounts piled up, the rumors gained credibility.
The conclusion?
'Geol Jon and Chang Jon vied to impart enlightenment to Kunlun's true Jade Dragon!'
'Poison Venerable ambushed the Jade Dragon as a test!'
'Three of the Ten Supremes are vying for the Jade Dragon!'
The tales spread like wildfire.
Even reaching Poison Venerable Dang Gi-hwang, confined to his quarters.
"Have you ever seen such crazy bastards!"
Boom!
The priceless purple sandalwood table shattered into splinters and flew everywhere.
"How dare they do this to me?"
Dang Yeong-jung swept the debris away with a flick of his sleeve and noted impassively,
"This table belongs to the Murim Alliance, not our family."
"......I'll pay for it myself!"
"Very well."
"Argh!"
Dang Gi-hwang glared at his son, pressing his throbbing temples and fuming.
"That damn beggar runt! That sleazy Yue bastard! Trying to steal my disciple?"
"Why is the Jade Dragon your disciple, Father?"
"I claimed him first!"
"He didn't seem all that interested."
"Still better than those guys!"
"Hm. We'll see."
"......Son. What did you just say?"
"Family head."
"......Family head. What did you just say?"
Dang Yeong-jung stared steadily at his father.
"Frankly, your level isn't much different from those two."
"It is."
"Really?"
"......Of course!"
Ignoring his father's glare, Dang Yeong-jung rose.
"Where are you going?"
"The family head has business."
"......Hmph. Busy, huh? Fine. I'm heading out anyway. Need to meet Jeong Gwang and get a firm answer."
"No."
"What?"
"Stay quiet for the time being."
"I'll be quiet. Come on, yeah?"
"No."
"......Fine, have it your way!"
As Dang Yeong-jung opened the door, his father's voice followed.
"How's the alliance leader selection going?"
"The candidates should arrive soon. Things are heating up."
"Who's leading?"
"The Namgung family, probably."
"Think carefully. Don't let personal feelings decide it."
Dang Yeong-jung slowly turned to face his father.
"Why the sudden interest in family matters?"
"I've always had it!"
"Like the past few decades? I'll handle it—don't worry."
"Hey! Wait!"
Dang Yeong-jung shut the door and walked off.
His mind was a whirlwind.
Even Geol Jon and Chang Jon are after him. The entire Ten Supremes might come calling at this rate.
He'd draw a lot of envy.
No—he already was.
The Beggars' Sect and Shandong Yue folks must be furious.
Their sect elders and family heads were bypassing their own juniors to enlighten an outsider.
Who'd like that?
Even the disciples who'd kept their distance due to the elders' eccentric ways couldn't tolerate it.
But those two won't back down.
Once they set their minds, they saw it through.
They might already be butting heads with their juniors, veins bulging.
I wonder how Kunlun's faring.
A ton of spectators must've swarmed them.
Jeong Gwang was the talk of the Murim Alliance right now.
Even overshadowing the alliance leader selection.
Guess I should check it out.
Dang Yeong-jung set off toward the Kunlun lodging.
Upon arrival, his eyebrows twitched.
This many?
From low-rank warriors to renowned experts— the place crawled with people.
Dang Yeong-jung's gaze deepened.
He could almost see the future Murim revolving around Jeong Gwang.
I need to forge that connection.
Dang Yeong-jung had suffered since his days as heir, thanks to his father making enemies left and right.
He didn't want that hardship for his own children.
No—he wanted to give them the best.
And for that, he needed Jeong Gwang.
Time to talk.
As he pushed through the crowd toward the lodging,
grumbling voices reached him.
"Where the hell did they all go?"
"Beats me."
"They didn't leave the alliance, did they?"
"How should I know?"
Dang Yeong-jung halted.
From the sound of it, all the Kunlun disciples had vanished.
So where...?
......!
Suddenly, an aura washed over the Murim Alliance that shouldn't have been there.
A startlingly intense killing intent.
Who dares!
He unleashed his movement technique toward the source. Others, sensing it late, followed.
They arrived at
a training ground ringed by high walls.
Who...?
A familiar voice answered from beyond the wall.
"This time, I'll go all out!"
A clear, resonant tone.
Jeong Gwang's.
What are they doing? Sparring?
But this killing intent...
Jeong Gwang's next words sent chills down Dang Yeong-jung's spine.
His tone was calm, but the killing intent laced within surged even stronger.
"Forgive me if I can't hold back my strength!"
Jeong Gwang had dragged the Kunlun disciples to the training ground, prodding Un Hak along.
"From today, we're switching things up."
"......"
"Huh? Not curious how?"
The Taoists all shook their heads.
They'd learn soon enough. Prying ahead only led to frustration—that's what experience had taught them.
"Alright. One-on-one spars. Find a suitable opponent and face off."
They quickly paired up. Knowing each other's levels well, there were no hitches.
"Fight like you're trying to kill your opponent—like it's real combat. Begin!"
"......What?"
"......Kill?"
As the Taoists gawked, Jeong Gwang waved them on.
"Ah, don't actually kill anyone. You're all sect brothers—can't have that."
"......"
Obviously.
But what exactly did he want?
Jeong Gwang explained.
"Fight with the intent to kill, but pull back coldly when it's about to get lethal. Gain experience facing real killing intent too."
You needed killing intent to fight properly.
You had to suppress it at the right moment to spare your foe.
You needed to feel it to respond correctly.
That was his point.
"Makes sense."
"It's essential training, really."
Un Hak and the others nodded vigorously.
But there was a catch.
The one suggesting it was Jeong Gwang.
Meeting their skeptical stares, he shrugged.
"Why the looks? When have you ever lost out by following my advice?"
Every time.
And plenty.
The Taoists sighed inwardly.
But not when it comes to martial arts.
We'll trust him this time too.
They bowed to their opponents and swung their weapons.
But
how could they unleash killing intent on sect brothers they'd spent nearly their whole lives with?
Stabbing and slashing a bit harder—that was their limit.
Jeong Gwang, watching, drew his sword.
"Not working. Here I go."
Go where?
His figure vanished, leaving afterimages.
Sword swinging.
"Eek!"
Clang!
Heo Jik barely blocked and bellowed,
"You brat! Trying to kill your martial uncle?!"
"Perish the thought."
"Then what the hell—urk!"
Heo Jik bent backward at the waist to dodge Jeong Gwang's blade.
By a hair's breadth.
"You... argh!"
Something surged from his chest, shoving aside decades of Taoist discipline.
Pure rage!
"This is too much! Today I'll teach you some manners... Huh?"
Jeong Gwang was now lunging at Heo Yun, who Heo Jik had been sparring.
Heo Yun frantically raised his sword, but the follow-up struck his rear.
Smack!
"Krrk!"
Jeong Gwang had used the flat of the blade, producing a sharp crack.
"Wh-why me?"
"Why? It's a melee now."
Melee?
You never said that!
Jeong Gwang alternated attacks between Heo Jik and Heo Yun.
They blocked and dodged frantically, but as time passed, fury boiled over.
It wasn't full killing intent, but it reached a similar realm.
"Jeong Gwang! Take this!"
"Lie down and behave!"
They weren't yelling "die!" like true killers—still Taoists at heart—but they were heated.
Their rage-fueled assaults poured toward Jeong Gwang.
And Jeong Gwang
ducked behind them, goading them into striking each other.
"Eek! J-Junior brother! You okay?"
"Urk! Senior brother! You trying to kill me?!"
"As if! It's all that brat's fault—eek!"
As Jeong Gwang darted around, unleashing strikes, the trio tangled into a chaotic mess.
Heo Jik and Heo Yun's eyes sharpened.
Concentrating to avoid injury, to not harm each other.
Jeong Gwang nodded inwardly.
About time.
Heo Jik and Heo Yun had endured countless trainings.
They could handle this and ignite their fighting spirit.
If not, he'd heal them later.
"Here it comes!"
With those words, Jeong Gwang unleashed his killing intent.
Sharp killing aura stabbed into the two Taoists like a downpour.
"Grraaah!"
"Uwaaak!"
They desperately clung to their fading focus.
Wh-what the hell!
This killing intent!
Jeong Gwang had used killing-intent strikes in Kunlun trainings before.
But this was on another level entirely!
Argh! I won't yield!
Ugh! No backing down!
It was an overwhelming urge to kneel, but their past trainings held them up.
No—lifted them.
"Amitabha!"
"Primeval Lord, grant us strength!"
They cried out like true Taoists and exploded with their own killing intent.
Jeong Gwang's immense aura clashed with their crude ones.
Kaboom!
"Cough!"
"Krrk!"
The two Taoists staggered, but Jeong Gwang didn't stop.
"This time, for real!"
For real?
Normally they'd pale, but Heo Jik and Heo Yun's faces burned with battle lust.
"Forgive me if I can't hold back my strength!"
What?
"Wait a—!"
"H-how do you expect us to—"
KABOOM!
A massive explosion echoed beyond the training ground.