Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Lightning Fist's Probing Strike
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Shin Wol's fist was truly fast. So much so that even the North Wind Brigade Leader, who had been on guard, couldn't react in time.
Even Shin Wol's opposite hand was gripping Seol Hwa-un's hand tightly, making it hard to dodge.
Crack!
Seol Hwa-un raised his left hand and snatched the fist. It was by the narrowest margin.
“……!”
‘He caught it? My fist from this close range?’
“Your fist is pretty fast.”
“Hmph, that was just a taste.”
Shin Wol released Seol Hwa-un's hand. At the same time, both his fists shot out at terrifying speed. Far faster than before.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
‘Lightning Flash Thunder Fist, huh.’
The Lightning Flash Thunder Fist was Radiant Fist Shin Wol's signature technique, one of the pinnacle arts in speed among the countless fist techniques scattered across the world.
Unfortunately for Shin Wol, it was a fist technique Seol Hwa-un knew very well.
‘He hasn't grasped the final essence yet.’
With a calm expression, he thrust out his own fist to meet it.
Boom boom boom boom boom!
Seol Hwa-un intercepted every single one of Shin Wol's strikes with his left fist alone.
‘Impossible!’
Boom!
With a heavy explosion, Shin Wol staggered back three paces. Meanwhile, Seol Hwa-un remained rooted in place.
“…….”
Shin Wol's face hardened rigidly.
“What fist technique is that?”
“Hm? You don't know? Most martial artists would. Especially any fist master worth their salt.”
Shin Wol had his suspicions.
“No way... really the Three Powers Fist?”
“You got it.”
“Unbelievable! How can the Three Powers Fist have that kind of speed...”
The Three Powers Fist was one of the entry-level fist forms, something even third-rate warriors knew.
“Believe it or not, up to you.”
At that moment, something dawned on Shin Wol.
“Never neglect the basic fist forms. No matter how much I emphasize it, it's never enough. True masters overwhelm lesser foes with basic fist techniques alone.”
It was something his master, the Fist Demon Cho Mu-shin, had said.
‘I thought he was just saying it to stress the basics... but it was real.’
It left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“This bruises my pride. My Lightning Flash Thunder Fist, beaten by mere Three Powers Fist.”
“Your technique wasn't bad.”
Wrinkles formed between Shin Wol's brows.
“That's irritating. Sounds like something you'd say to an amateur.”
Seol Hwa-un shrugged his shoulders.
“If that's how it felt, then it probably is.”
“…….”
Shin Wol's demeanor shifted completely. As he clenched both fists tightly again, yellow lightning crackled.
Crackle!
“Good. North Heaven Dragon, take this too.”
He unleashed a barrage of punches.
Boom boom boom boom!
Lightning bolts shot out from his fists.
‘Thunderbolt Strike Wave.’
Seol Hwa-un watched the incoming Thunderbolt Strike Wave calmly, then thrust his palm forward like a bolt of lightning.
Boom!
Boom!
The immense power of the Ice White Divine Palm obliterated every trace of the Thunderbolt Strike Wave.
“Ah, you bastard! A fist master using palm techniques...”
Seol Hwa-un wore an incredulous expression.
“What's that supposed to mean? Is there a rule fist masters can't use palm techniques?”
“A true fist master speaks only with his fists!”
Seol Hwa-un nodded as if he understood.
“That explains why you haven't mastered the Lightning Flash Thunder Fist.”
Shin Wol scowled.
“What's that mean?”
“Ask your master. I have no obligation to tell you.”
“Fine, you bastard! Block this too, and I'll admit you're above me!”
Crackle crackle!
His form turned into a massive bolt of lightning, charging at Seol Hwa-un like a cannonball.
Screeech!
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un shot out his clenched fist like lightning. It was the Fist Cannon One Split of the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.
Rumble!
Boom!
“Gah!”
Shin Wol was flung backward twice as fast as he had charged.
Crash!
Rolling ignobly on the ground, Shin Wol sprang back up immediately.
‘Ugh, what a humiliation...’
He glared at Seol Hwa-un with fierce eyes.
“…….”
Just when it looked like he'd charge again, Shin Wol suddenly smiled faintly and gave a thumbs up.
“I acknowledge your fist technique!”
“……?”
“See you later!”
With that, he turned and left the arena.
“Huh?”
“He's running?”
The onlookers had never expected him to flee so suddenly and just stared blankly at his retreating figure.
“Chase him!”
The North Wind Brigade Leader belatedly gave the order, but Seol Hwa-un stopped him.
“Let him go. Looks like he came just to test the waters.”
“Hm... if the Little Palace Lord says so, then all right.”
At that moment, Dong Ho-won, who had been watching the duel intently, asked.
“Little Palace Lord, what did you mean by what you said to Radiant Fist?”
Eom Mu-hwi approached, nodding in agreement.
“I'm curious too. Why hasn't Radiant Fist mastered the Lightning Flash Thunder Fist?”
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“I'll tell you. Pay close attention—it's something that'll help you too.”
“Yes.”
“As you saw, that guy's Lightning Flash Thunder Fist pursues ultimate speed. But it's not just about being fast.”
“…….”
“From his temperament and the way he executed it, he probably focused only on speed when training the Lightning Flash Thunder Fist.”
Seol Hwa-un paused briefly before continuing.
“But true speed starts from precise movements. Speed without precision means nothing.”
Dong Ho-won tilted his head.
“Didn't Radiant Fist know that? Even his master, the Fist Demon, must have told him.”
“I wouldn't know. He might have ignored it even if told. Or thought his form was already perfect.”
“That could be.”
“Remember this: Techniques pursuing ultimate speed demand perfect precision even more. Without it, you'll never achieve mastery.”
Seol Hwa-un looked at Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi as he spoke.
“The same goes for your arts. The Winter Family Soul-Falling Spear emphasizes power, the Yan Family Soul-Hooking Hand emphasizes variability. But immerse too much in those, and they'll remain incomplete.”
“We'll keep it in mind.”
“Radiant Fist probably did the same. Once his fists got fast and powerful, he got thrilled.”
“Hm.”
“That led to obsession with speed alone, turning it into a technique I could break so easily.”
Eom Mu-hwi spoke up.
“I can't agree with that. You broke Radiant Fist's technique so easily because you're on a far higher level, aren't you, Little Palace Lord?”
Seol Hwa-un chuckled softly.
“True enough. But such lopsided training always hits a wall eventually. Don't get blinded by immediate gains—look further and never slack in your practice.”
“Yes.”
From behind, Dang So-gyo, who had watched the entire exchange, had sparkling eyes.
‘As expected, Brother Seol is so cool! I'll definitely make him mine!’
Seo Moon Yeon-hong shook her head, reading her thoughts from her expression.
‘Sigh. So-gyo, what am I going to do with you.’
* * *
Zigong, Sichuan Province.
In this small city south of the provincial capital stood a dilapidated estate.
It was fairly large, but crumbling everywhere like an abandoned ruin, with most buildings having collapsed roofs that offered little shelter from rain or snow.
This estate, which even beggars would shake their heads at, was astonishingly the base of the Heavenbreaker Sect, one of the Eight Demonic Sects.
In front of the estate's entrance lay a wide training ground, and in its center sat a hulking man.
With his graying hair and beard, clad in worn training robes, his presence was overwhelming.
The empty estate felt filled solely by this man's aura, like an illusion.
“…….”
Creak!
Then, the gate opened, and Shin Wol entered the estate. His robes torn in places, face pale, he looked utterly defeated.
“Ugh. I got properly thrashed.”
He soon addressed the hulking man.
“Master, I'm back.”
The man Shin Wol called master was none other than the Heavenbreaker Sect Leader, Fist Demon Cho Mu-shin.
“…….”
The Fist Demon slowly opened his eyes.
“Hm? Where'd everyone go?”
His mouth opened, and a heavy voice echoed.
“Sent them to train.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Mount Le. Told them to break off branches from the giant tree at the peak.”
“Huh? Isn't that half a day's run away?”
“Yeah. First ten back are exempt; the rest go to Mount Emei. You too.”
Shin Wol's face twisted.
“You crazy bastard! That's too unfair!”
“If you're mad, you be sect leader.”
“Damn it!”
He whirled to dash out.
“Wait.”
“What!”
The Fist Demon said.
“Report on what happened first.”
“Damn it, is that important right now?”
“Of course.”
The Fist Demon's expression turned serious.
“How was the North Heaven Dragon's fist?”
“…….”
After hesitating, he spoke reluctantly.
“He has the Balanced Fist.”
The Fist Demon's eyes flashed.
“He's just past twenty, they say... already?”
“Yeah. Looked like Single Fist soon.”
In fist training, hard calluses form on the knuckles. When prominent, it's called Stone Fist.
When they even out to uniform size, it's Balanced Fist.
Next is when they merge into one, Single Fist. Ultimately, all calluses vanish, returning to a normal fist—Formless Fist.
The most famous owner of Formless Fist was the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor.
This classification by fist form isn't absolute but reflects a fist master's level to some degree.
The Fist Demon scanned his entire body.
“Judging by your state, you clashed with him after all.”
Radiant Fist replied with a bitter expression.
“Don't even ask. Nearly didn't make it back. He cheated with palm techniques, but it was beyond me. Damn, I have Balanced Fist too...”
A glint appeared in the Fist Demon's eyes.
“Impressive. A North Sea Ice Palace disciple at that level. No wonder he crushed the Blood Yin Death Army.”
“At least as strong as Eldest Senior Brother. Satisfied now?”
The Fist Demon closed his eyes again.
“...First ten.”
Shin Wol's face twisted again.
“Damn it!”
He bolted out of the estate in a panic. Once more, only the Fist Demon remained.
“…….”
After a moment of silence, the Fist Demon slowly rose. His upright stature was imposing.
Setting aside his broad shoulders, his height neared seven feet.
“North Heaven Dragon, huh...”
His gaze deepened.