Chapter 83
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Kunlun's Provocation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Seol Hwa-un asked,
“What sort of gift is it?”
But instead of answering, the Undying Divine Monk changed the subject.
“I’ve heard you’re called the North Heaven Dragon and have already surpassed the level of the later generation talents. And just recently, you even took down the Blood Yin Four Evils?”
“That’s right.”
“Impressive indeed. If you weren’t the Little Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, I might have grabbed your trouser leg and begged to take you as my disciple.”
“......”
“Haha, I mean it, but you’re showing no reaction.”
A disciple of one of the Nine Heavens Martial Emperors.
Any ordinary martial artist would have been overjoyed at such an incredible stroke of fortune.
“But it’s impossible anyway, isn’t it?”
“True enough.”
“Will you not tell me what the gift is?”
“Ahem, very well, I shall. I’ve heard you’re an outstanding fist master.”
“Yes.”
“This monk has devoted his life to mastering Shaolin Fist. Would you like to see it?”
“......!”
It was a demonstration from one of the Nine Heavens Martial Emperors himself. There was no reason to refuse.
‘I was curious about their level anyway. Perfect.’
“If you’re willing to show it, I won’t say no.”
“Then I shall.”
To ensure enough space, Seol Hwa-un stepped back from the Undying Divine Monk.
‘This should be good.’
The Undying Divine Monk adopted a serious expression and slowly spread his legs.
Kuuuung!
His suppressed energy erupted in all directions.
“......!”
Even without any intent to pressure, Seol Hwa-un felt a crushing force bearing down on his entire body.
‘Is this the Undying Divine Monk’s true power?’
It was shocking.
Fist Demon or Sword Demon couldn’t even compare. And it seemed that wasn’t the end—his energy kept expanding.
“There’s a saying: ‘The world’s finest techniques hail from Shaolin.’ But that doesn’t mean Shaolin holds the supreme martial art of the world.”
Wuuuung!
The air trembled faintly under the aura emanating from the Undying Divine Monk.
“However, when it comes to the profundity of fist techniques, I dare claim we are unmatched. Not even the fist-renowned Huangbo Family or Jinju Yan Family can keep up.”
“......”
“The only fist arts comparable to ours are those of the Hunwon Sect and the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
Seol Hwa-un agreed. Even among Shaolin’s famed Seventy-Two Supreme Arts, fist techniques held the greatest weight. Their understanding of fist methods was unparalleled.
“I’ll show it just once. How much you take from it depends on your own ability.”
A golden glow enveloped the Undying Divine Monk’s body.
Paaa.
It was dazzling, but Seol Hwa-un kept his eyes wide open, determined not to miss a single movement.
A intense golden light flashed in the Undying Divine Monk’s eyes. At last, his fist began to move slowly.
“......!”
At a glance, it looked like a simple straight punch. But not to Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
‘Ah……!’
Utterly free, utterly perfect motion. Impossible to predict or block.
Light as a feather, yet imbued with unfathomable power.
It was a single fist that truly embodied the pinnacle of all fist arts.
Pang.
A small whoosh echoed as the Undying Divine Monk’s movement ended. To an outsider, it might have seemed anticlimactic.
“......”
The Undying Divine Monk slowly withdrew his fist and assumed a half-lotus position.
In that one strike, he had infused the essence of Shaolin Fist—the ultimate martial principle achievable through fists.
‘I wonder how much he saw.’
Turning his head, he saw Seol Hwa-un standing there in a daze, already lost in a trance.
“Hahaha, worthy of the North Heaven Dragon.”
The Undying Divine Monk watched him quietly.
‘A pity. If only Donor Seol had been born in the Central Plains…….’
About a quarter of an hour passed.
Only then did the light return to Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
“Hm?”
Snapping out of it, Seol Hwa-un looked for the Undying Divine Monk, but he had already vanished.
“......Incredible.”
That single fist had truly shocked even him.
He couldn’t imagine how many years of training it had taken to perfect it.
What was even more astonishing was that such a mighty technique hadn’t leaked a shred of energy outward.
It meant the Undying Divine Monk had perfectly controlled the entire training hall.
Otherwise, a place like the Noble Guests Pavilion would have been obliterated without a trace.
‘Are all the Nine Heavens Martial Emperors at this level?’
The world’s evaluation of them was unanimous.
They were transcendent masters impossible to rank, and had they been born in different eras, each would have been hailed the supreme under heaven. No one disagreed.
Many named the Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable of the Namgung Family as the greatest, but no one could say for sure.
‘I gained quite a bit.’
Though the trance was brief, his fist realm had advanced a step. He’d even grasped insights he couldn’t yet apply.
‘My physical completion is lacking, and so is my inner energy.’
Regrettable, but time would solve it. It was etched in his mind, ready for use anytime.
‘As expected of Shaolin. They’ve forged a monster.’
The Undying Divine Monk was the strongest fist master Seol Hwa-un had ever seen, across both lives.
‘Perhaps even my past life’s realm…….’
He trailed off.
‘His fist art is a different flavor from mine.’
If the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor’s style was the Path of Domination, the Undying Divine Monk’s was closer to the Kingly Path. They pursued different ideals.
‘Martial arts have advanced a lot in the past two hundred years.’
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes gleamed.
‘I’ll surpass him for sure.’
As a fellow fist master, it was a matter of pride.
‘First, I need to recover my past life’s realm.’
Still in his early twenties, he had plenty of time and potential ahead.
In fact, he was already growing far faster than in his previous life.
Thus, Seol Hwa-un’s new goal was set.
* * *
The next day, the Noble Guests Pavilion was still bustling with visitors seeking Seol Hwa-un.
Among them were some unexpected elders.
The two old men in matching attire had white beards and a scholarly air, but their eyes were sharply keen.
“You the North Heaven Dragon?”
The first elder spoke bluntly in familiar terms the moment he sat down.
“That’s me.”
“Hmph, got a bit of fame and now you’re full of yourself.”
Rude words, but Seol Hwa-un took them in stride.
“Is that how I seem?”
The second elder spoke.
“You might’ve been lucky enough to gain that fame so far, but it won’t last. Luck evens out eventually.”
“I agree with that. But I don’t think I’ve been particularly lucky.”
“All that was your own skill?”
“Yes.”
“Hah!”
“Kunlun Sect surviving countless Demonic Cult invasions over the years wasn’t luck—it was skill.”
The two elders flinched involuntarily.
“......You know who we are.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“An honor to meet the Kunlun Two Elders.”
The Kunlun Two Elders were Kunlun Sect’s signature masters, quite renowned.
Historically, due to their location, Kunlun Sect had faced endless assaults from the Outer Realm forces, yet their unique tenacity had preserved their ancient legacy.
That also fueled a deep enmity toward the Outer Realm. Naturally, their view of Seol Hwa-un’s group wasn’t friendly.
“......”
The Kunlun Two Elders found it hard to refute.
Doing so would imply Kunlun Sect had merely been lucky to endure this long.
‘This punk’s silver tongue is sharp.’
“I’ve always respected Kunlun Sect.”
“What?”
“Most sects couldn’t have endured what you have. Had you been deeper in the Central Plains, I believe you’d rival Shaolin or Wudang.”
Seol Hwa-un meant it sincerely. Even in his past life, he’d held Kunlun Sect in high regard.
“Ahem, ahem.”
The first elder, Wind Dust Hermit, softened visibly. The second, Cloud Dust Hermit, scowled and jabbed his side.
“......!”
[Senior Brother! Don’t fall for his words! Have you forgotten our purpose?]
Wind Dust Hermit’s eyes widened.
[Ah, sorry. I nearly did.]
They’d been displeased upon hearing the proposal to invite the North Sea Ice Palace group to the Martial Alliance.
With Wuxiang and Mun Sang leading and most in favor, opposing was difficult.
They’d grudgingly tolerated it, but with Seol Hwa-un’s group lingering, they’d come to drive them out.
‘Hmm.’
But openly praising Kunlun Sect like this made retorting awkward.
‘Still, it’s not without a way.’
Cloud Dust Hermit smirked slyly and said,
“Guess the North Sea Ice Palace’s martial arts are decent after all.”
“Hm?”
“The Ice Emperor’s swordsmanship was one thing, and you... well, with help from those around you, you killed the Blood Yin Four Evils with fists.”
“......?”
“But isn’t it arrogant to think that puts you on par with the Nine Great Sects?”
Seol Hwa-un frowned unwittingly.
‘They know what happened at the Alliance Lord Tournament?’
“Each martial art of our Nine Great Sects, including ours, is a supreme technique. You think one or two can compare?”
Rumors of North Wind Brigade Leader, Eom Mu-hwi, and Dong Ho-won were spreading, but overshadowed by Seol Hwa-un’s feats, they hadn’t gained much fame.
Thus, the Kunlun Two Elders knew little of North Sea Ice Palace’s arts—or would downplay them regardless.
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“Then let’s do this.”
He glanced at Cloud Dust Hermit’s back, where a massive crescent blade was strapped.
“You seem a blade master, so how about facing off against one of our palace’s blade users.”
Cloud Dust Hermit was among the Martial Alliance’s top blade experts, his signature True Flow Five Elements Blade renowned in the world.
“Hah, you want to use a blade instead of a sword?”
Anger flashed on his face. As a blade master of great pride, it stung.
“Fine. Shall we?”
“If you win, I’ll admit our palace’s shortcomings and withdraw without argument.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes gleamed.
“But if you lose, formally apologize and declare, in Kunlun Sect’s name, your support for our palace’s advance into the Central Plains.”
Their eyes widened at the unexpected demand.
“What?”
“When did the North Sea Ice Palace ever advance into the Central Plains?”
“Not yet, but soon. More importantly, lacking confidence? I heard you two represent Kunlun Sect in the Martial Alliance.”
“Fine! I accept!”
As Cloud Dust Hermit shouted, Wind Dust Hermit paled and grabbed his sleeve.
[Junior Brother! This isn’t something to answer so lightly!]
[Don’t worry, Senior Brother.]
[What if...]
[We need to drive these guys out now, right? You think I’ll lose?]
“......”
Wind Dust Hermit knew Cloud Dust Hermit’s skill well. Though he was the senior brother, Cloud Dust Hermit was a cut above.
[Fine. Win for sure.]
A smile curled on Cloud Dust Hermit’s lips.
[Leave it to me.]
He glared at Seol Hwa-un and said,
“I’ll humor you. You’d better keep your promise.”
Seol Hwa-un’s lips curved up.
“Let’s head to the rear training grounds.”
Leaving the Noble Guests Pavilion’s reception room, Seol Hwa-un soon met the North Wind Brigade Leader.
“......So, Brigade Leader, I’ll need you to step up.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader’s face lit up noticeably.
“I’ll meet your expectations.”