Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Translator: Penny
Chapter 62
Asura Radiant King (1)
Standing at the cave's exit, I gazed down at the seemingly endless cliff stretching below.
Despite the daunting, bottomless descent, a contented smile played on my lips.
By sealing off the lower cave I had climbed through earlier, no one would ever discover this place.
I looked up. A rock formation resembling a crane's tail hung downward from the ceiling.
From now on, this would be my only entrance and exit.
With a graceful leap, I soared upward. Grasping the rock's edge lightly, I propelled myself higher with another jump.
In a fluid motion, I landed on the crane's tail. Though the rock sloped steeply downward, I maintained perfect balance.
My confidence stemmed from the unwavering strength of my internal energy.
Even if I were to fall from this cliff now, I wouldn't die. By repeatedly scraping my sword against the cliff face to slow my descent, then falling again, I could control my fall.
I possessed sufficient internal energy and the Heavenly Creation Sword, a Treasure Sword, to make this possible.
In fact, this was a training method I had practiced extensively during my prime. Though the cliffs weren't always this high, I had leaped from formidable heights.
Those experiences truly taught me what it meant to have my heart pounding in my chest. There was no better training for sharpening focus.
I walked to the center of the rock and retrieved the Secret Manual from my robe—the Immortal Crane Secret Art, which I had obtained from the Secret Grotto.
Standing there, bathed in the cool wind, I began memorizing the manual.
Having already learned the movements of the five Forms through the training doll, I found it easier to grasp the content.
The Immortal Crane Secret Art is a martial art that utilizes the entire body to engage opponents. It's a type of body art and close-quarters combat technique, though punches and kicks remain central.
However, the true power of the art lies not in punches or kicks. These are merely feints to confuse opponents or defensive maneuvers. The actual lethal strikes come from shoulder, knee, and elbow attacks.
For example, just when an opponent anticipates a punch, an elbow strike is delivered, or when a kick is expected, the shoulder slams into their body with devastating force.
This might not sound particularly powerful, but when combined with body weight and internal force, a single strike can shatter every bone in the body.
Following the Secret Manual, I circulated True Qi and executed the Forms.
Bang! Pa-pang! Bang!
With each Form infused with internal energy, the movements came alive.
After executing five consecutive forms, I realized this was no ordinary martial art. It was a level above the World-Shaking Wind God Fist I had learned from the Fist King's secret manual.
Though comprising only five forms, the martial art was perfectly balanced between offense and defense. Moreover, it was a supremely progressive art—the more one practiced, the greater its power became.
Of course, the effectiveness of any martial art varied wildly depending on who practiced it and how thoroughly they mastered it.
Yet there was undoubtedly an objective hierarchy.
The Immortal Crane Secret Art was comparable to the Soul-Chasing Asura Sword Technique I had mastered. I could sense that a grandmaster of martial arts had poured his lifetime's enlightenment into these five forms.
Which ancient master could have left behind such a martial art?
The question resurfaced in my mind.
I had gained a profound insight from Chilho during our carriage ride. Since then, I had felt the need to learn martial arts that complemented my swordsmanship, and now I had obtained the perfect art at just the right time.
After memorizing the manual through repeated practice, I burned it. Peerless Secret Manuals always invite disaster, and when the time comes to pass it on, I can simply rewrite it myself.
There was one thing I must never forget: all these Fortuitous Encounters were possible only because of the sacrifice of the deceased, who had selflessly abandoned their own ambitions for the sake of future generations.
Deceased one, I do not know what you desired. But I believe what I intend to do is not far removed from what you wished for. Please watch over me from now on.
Descending from the summit, I paused before the small cave I had discovered earlier.
Slowly, I drew my sword.
Nearly sixty years' worth of internal energy surged within my dantian.
Wooooong.
As I channeled my Internal Force, the Heavenly Creation Sword vibrated.
When the blade sliced through the air, a stream of Sword Aura erupted with a soft, wind-like sound.
Shwoooooosh!
In the next instant!
The flying Sword Aura suddenly fractured. Like a comet shattering as it fell, the Sword Aura split into multiple strands.
Chwaaaak!
The fractured Sword Aura rapidly divided again.
Chwaaaak! Chwaaaak!
Two strands became four, four became eight, and eight became sixteen.
In an instant, the sixteen strands of Sword Aura rained down around the cave entrance like a torrential downpour.
Papakpakpakpakpakpakpakpakpakpakpakpak!
Rumble!
The cave collapsed completely.
The Sword Aura's power didn't diminish when it split. Instead, sixteen strands of Sword Aura, each retaining its original potency, surged forward simultaneously.
Moreover, these strands didn't simply fly in a fixed direction; I could direct them wherever I chose.
Imagine facing sixteen strands of Aura Force, each targeting your vital points at once. How could anyone possibly defend against such an assault?
This was the Fourth Form: Soul-Snatching Calamity.
The very reason I had striven so relentlessly to reach One Cycle.
The Fourth Form had only one weakness: its uniqueness. Because no one else could replicate this martial art, it would immediately reveal my identity.
When the dust settled, the scene resembled a mountain collapse caused by a landslide.
Now, I could no longer stumble upon the path to the Mysterious Cave by chance. The only way to enter was to leap from the tail of Immortal Crane Peak and plummet into the entrance below.
Since no one who reached the summit would ever attempt such a feat, the Secret Grotto had become a space known only to me, forever.
Even if I revealed the method of entry, few in the world possessed the Lightness Skill necessary to leap from the cliff's edge and glide into the entrance.
Descending the mountain, I bid farewell to the innkeeper.
"The scenery was truly breathtaking."
"I'm glad you enjoyed your stay."
"Thank you for the restful stay."
"Please visit again soon."
"I will."
The innkeeper's words were customary farewells, but I suspected I would indeed return often—though likely never to stay at the inn.
Leaving the inn, I headed not home, but toward Wuhan, where the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters stood.
A man entered the office of Sama Cheon, the Chief Strategist of the Martial Arts Alliance.
The man's name was Jo Byeok, Sama Cheon's right-hand man. He was the same man who had previously received a secret order to locate the Asura Radiant King Sword of Cheon Hajin.
"What's the situation?" Sama Cheon asked.
Jo Byeok replied, "We secretly searched Gal Saryang's surroundings, but we couldn't find the Asura Radiant King Sword."
Sama Cheon frowned. "It seems he's hidden it very well."
"That's what it appears."
Sama Cheon was convinced that Gal Saryang had stolen the sword. Unlike other swords, the Asura Radiant King Sword was worth any effort to retrieve.
He had a long-standing relationship with Ma Bonggi and had carried out numerous tasks for the Heavenly Blade Gate.
But such a past didn't guarantee him the position of Chief Strategist. Having been chosen for the role, he needed to prove his capabilities to the Alliance Leader.
Jo Byeok spoke cautiously, "There's one thing that concerns me."
"What is it?"
"With the change in Alliance Leaders, the Head of the Alliance Guard Corps has also been replaced."
"That's right."
"Could he be the one who took it?"
As the Alliance Leader's chief protector, the Head of the Alliance Guard Corps was a natural suspect.
Sama Cheon had already considered this possibility.
However, he didn't believe the Head of the Alliance Guard Corps would have taken the sword. After reading Baek Pyo's report, he was convinced the man was incapable of such an act.
"He was fiercely loyal to Cheon Hajin. Someone like that would never steal the Alliance Leader's possessions."
"What if Gal Saryang entrusted him with the sword?"
"Gal Saryang?" Sama Cheon tilted his head. "Were those two that close?"
"I don't believe they had a bad relationship."
Sama Cheon shook his head. "Anything else, maybe, but he would never entrust the Asura Radiant King Sword to another. He must have hidden it somewhere impossible to find."
The Asura Radiant King Sword's value was beyond monetary measure. For Sama Cheon, entrusting such a priceless artifact to another was simply unimaginable.
Still, you never know.
The world was full of eccentric individuals whose actions defied comprehension.
"Where is this man now?"
Upon arriving in Wuhan, I immediately headed to Pung Tavern.
Since I was already in Hubei, I wanted to see Gal Saryang and Baek Pyo, and also check on the current state of affairs at the Martial Arts Alliance.
Baek Pyo recognized me instantly.
"Didn't you visit us once before?"
"That's right. I'm impressed you remember me."
"How could I forget? You were my first customer. Didn't you sit right there and order wine?"
During my first visit, I had ordered the same wine and side dishes I always enjoyed when I was Alliance Leader, sitting in my usual spot. I still remember Baek Pyo's surprised and touched expression.
"Yes, that's right."
"Ha ha, welcome back! Please, take a seat."
I sat in the same spot as before.
This time, my eyes were drawn to the wooden shield and sword decorations hanging on the wall.
"The interior has changed."
"I made it for fun."
"It's very impressive."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Seeing Baek Pyo again brought a sense of comfort. I even felt a sudden urge to take him to Shandong.
"How's business going?"
"Haha, just enough to make ends meet."
"Do you have a family?"
"Yes. A wife and a son."
"You must be very happy."
Baek Pyo lowered his voice and said, "Be careful."
"About what?"
"I've heard it said: 'Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, but close them afterward.'"
Ah, those were the words I had given Baek Pyo before his marriage. I never imagined I'd hear them repeated back to me one day.
"I mean, choose your partner carefully."
Baek Pyo winked at me.
I chuckled and asked, "Do you ever regret getting married?"
"Of course not! I'm very happy. Ha ha ha!"
Baek Pyo was the most family-oriented Martial Artist I knew in the Martial Arts Alliance. He genuinely loved his wife and children.
"What would you like to drink and eat?"
"Just give me what you served last time. Do you remember?"
"Of course."
After bringing the drinks and simple snacks, Baek Pyo began preparing the main meal in earnest.
Watching him work for a while, I suddenly blurted out, "Are you happy?"
Baek Pyo paused his chopping and looked at me. Well, no customer has ever asked him that before. He must be a little surprised and flustered.
Baek Pyo smiled and said, "Yes, I'm happy."
Whether he was truly happy or just saying it, Baek Pyo certainly looked content.
Just then, someone entered Pung Tavern.
The man who strode in, making no attempt to conceal his icy aura, was none other than Jo Byeok.
Jo Byeok glanced at me. Since he usually kept his aura completely hidden, he likely saw me as just another ordinary customer.
Soon after, another person entered the tavern.
When I recognized who it was, I was startled. It was Sama Cheon.
Naturally, I knew Sama Cheon's face, and so did Baek Pyo.
"Chief Strategist!"
"You recognize me?"
"Of course. You may not remember, but we've met a few times before."
"Oh, that's right."
"What brings you here...? Ah, please sit down first."
Sama Cheon took a seat.
"I happened to be passing by and heard you'd opened a tavern here, so I decided to stop in."
"Ah, I see."
"Bring me some wine."
"Yes, sir."
Baek Pyo, looking flustered, hurried to prepare the wine and snacks.
I was even more nervous than Baek Pyo.
Sama Cheon just happened to be passing by? He's looking after someone who's already left the Martial Arts Alliance? That's ridiculous. He's a man who only cares about his own interests. He might look after the Alliance's lapdogs, but he'd never care about someone who's left.
So, what's his real motive?
He had come with a purpose.
What could it be?
Sama Cheon subtly questioned Baek Pyo, who had brought him wine.
"Have you ever met Strategist Gal?"
"He visited once."
"Oh? He came here?"
"Yes. He brought a housewarming gift."
"It seems you two were close."
"Yes, we were."
Baek Pyo answered honestly, without trying to deceive.
That's right, Baek Pyo. You're doing well. Never lie about anything that will be revealed during the investigation.
A lie is like a tiny wedge, slipped into the barely perceptible gap between truths, like cartilage between bones.
Just as people forget about cartilage because they only see flesh and feel bone, lies are crafted in the same way.
Sama Cheon peppered him with questions: Why did you want to do this job? How many customers do you get in a day? Do you plan to return?
They were the kind of questions a first-time visitor might ask.
After about fifteen minutes of conversation, Sama Cheon rose to leave.
"I'm busy today, so I'll have to be going."
"Thank you for coming. Safe travels."
As Sama Cheon turned to leave, he suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, didn't Strategist Gal entrust something to you?"
The question was so sudden it felt like an ambush.
Baek Pyo replied calmly, "He entrusted nothing to me."
Sama Cheon stared intently at Baek Pyo, then smiled.
"Keep up the good work. The wine is excellent."
Sama Cheon and Jo Byeok left Pung Tavern.
My heart had already grown cold and heavy.
I couldn't tell if Sama Cheon had noticed anything earlier. But it didn't matter. His presence here meant Baek Pyo was already entangled in this affair.
I wanted Baek Pyo to live a happy life. Even if I couldn't make him mine, I wouldn't force him to come with me as long as he was content.
That was why I absolutely didn't want Baek Pyo to get caught up in the power struggles of these vile men.
Whatever Sama Cheon was searching for, I needed to resolve this matter and leave for Baek Pyo's sake.
After draining my last cup, I smiled and said, "The wine is so delicious, I'll have to come back tomorrow."