Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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Low footsteps echoed.
Jin So-cheong led the way, and I followed behind as we ascended the Zhongnan Sect's buildings. Even while madly pummeling the White-Clothed Sword Guests, my senior brother seemed to have a rough sense of where the training hall was, showing no hesitation.
"Eyaap! Kugh."
Zhongnan Sect disciples popped out from everywhere, swinging swords at us, but senior brother barely moved, knocking them out in one strike like true Shadowless Fist. It looked like his hands were just moving incredibly fast. That was undoubtedly a brilliant fist technique I couldn't imitate at my current level.
'Thunder Cloud Hard Fist or Thunder Cloud Soft Fist. Which of the two fist arts taught in the Thunder God Style is it?'
I observed my senior brother's divine prowess, trying to etch every detail into my eyes, but I couldn't tell. The fist arts taught in the Thunder God Style were broadly classified into Hard Fist and Soft Fist, but his movements weren't bound by those frames. Of course, everyone learned the Thunder Cloud Palm regardless, but at least in senior brother's fist art, the freedom of a generational grandmaster flowed forth.
"You little brat!!"
Occasionally, one or two aimed for me and swung their swords. I glanced at them and tried to mimic what they were doing.
'So, like this, drawing the fist...'
I attempted to thrust it out quickly while channeling a bit of qi into my fist.
Boom!
"Kyaaaaak!"
"Motherrrr—!!"
Suddenly, thunder roared, and screams filled the air. I stopped my fist just short, but the fist pressure alone sent three Zhongnan Sect disciples flying through the sky. I realized that if I hadn't stopped, my internal energy would've turned those guys into well-tenderized meat chunks.
"Eek..."
I panicked a little. When did my fist gain this much power?
Senior brother, who was ahead, spoke. Even while furiously smashing everything, he retained a cool composure.
"Junior brother hasn't reached the Thunder God Fist stage yet, so restrain yourself. If you recklessly use that peerless internal energy of yours, there will definitely be casualties."
"Thunder God Fist?"
"Indeed. You haven't heard of it yet, it seems, but once you master both Thunder Cloud Hard Fist and Thunder Cloud Soft Fist to a certain level, you enter the Thunder God Fist. Then you can fully control your internal energy, enabling more delicate combat."
Thunder God Fist!
A new fist art!
"You bastards! You dare invade our headquarters and chat?!"
Swoosh!
As I listened with keen interest, a figure flew in from the front of the building with a whirl. He seemed like a first-generation disciple of the Zhongnan Sect, a considerable expert. By qi alone, he was upper first-class, possibly at the peak entry level. The sword path he unleashed with full power, the Heavenly River Thirty-Six Swords, was like a shower of murderous sword qi droplets.
Slash!
But in that brief moment, Jin So-cheong once again deployed the secret technique of Thunder Shadow Step: Heavenly Pivot Kill. Just seven steps of variation, but he threaded the razor-thin gaps, effortlessly dodging all the sword qi. Then he twisted the Zhongnan first-generation disciple's arm and forced him to his knees.
Thud!
"Arrrgh..."
I couldn't close my mouth. That guy's skill was first-class enough to strut in the secular martial world, yet he was subdued so easily? I could beat him too, but not that cleanly and effortlessly.
"Of course, as you see, you must master even the secret techniques of Thunder Shadow Step to enter Thunder God Fist. Hands and feet always go together."
So that's how it is. From Jin So-cheong's kind explanation, I grasped the process of what I needed to learn ahead. Master Lee Gwang just made me do what's visible now without explaining, so this advice felt like gold and jade precepts.
"Th-those... the elders will surely avenge us."
Jin So-cheong smirked. No trace of cowardice in that bold laugh.
"Is that so?"
Strength entered Jin So-cheong's hand. The Zhongnan disciple, realizing what was coming from his gaze, screamed.
"U, uaaah, stop!"
Then he forcibly lifted the broken arm and hurled the guy toward what I assumed was the training hall building. He threw so hard it whistled through the air.
Kablooey!
His body became a human cannonball, smashing the door, and even burrowing deep inside the building. Watching Jin So-cheong wreck everything so spectacularly left me speechless. His talk of "making a scene" at the Nine Great Sects was no bluff or bravado.
Step...
We entered the spacious training hall. There lay the human cannonball, fainted in the center, and about ten seated experts stared silently at us intruders, ignoring the outside commotion.
But the moment our eyes met, I sensed a chilling killing intent—not through words, but skin.
'Real peak experts! Strong!'
The ones who attacked outside were at best straddling first-class to peak. But these middle-aged and old men each exuded a formidable aura reminiscent of the Iron Blood Sect's elders. Each was a true master worthy of peak expert status in the martial world.
Jin So-cheong seemed to sense it too, pausing to stare them down.
The elderly man in the center, with sunken eyes, looked up at Jin So-cheong and spoke. His vitality was extraordinarily refined, clearly a terrifying expert leagues above the riffraff outside.
"I've heard of Azure Dragon Martial Hall. And its fearsomeness. However, it seems our juniors let youthful vigor lead them to mistakes with you. We instructed them to escort you politely..."
Senior brother Jin So-cheong replied flatly.
"Whether you're trying to save face or not, I'm here today to take down Zhongnan Sect's affiliation plaque."
"Heh heh heh... A disciple of the Azure Dragon has the qualification to say that. But we're not prepared to fight for our lives yet."
The elderly peak swordsman slowly rose.
"If the Zhongnan Sect's Ten Great Elders here gang up, we could take your life, but it'd earn the Azure Dragon's grudge. With Mount Hua and Yellow Mountain unresolved, that's too risky."
Zhongnan Sect's Ten Great Elders!
They were the ten peak experts the Zhongnan Sect boasted to the martial world. Possessing over ten such masters made them one of the Nine Great Sects. Sweat trickled down my back. I never imagined facing off in qi against the Ten Great Elders when climbing this mountain.
He drew his sword, aiming at Jin So-cheong, and said.
"Here's the deal. As per your initial request, we'll duel, staking the plaque on the result. But if you lose, you fulfill our demand."
"......!!"
I realized things were veering unexpectedly. Given the cold killing intent moments ago, I thought the Ten Great Elders would surely crush us intruders with a joint assault out of fury.
Yet they were making a huge concession? Normally, with disciples beaten and buildings smashed, sects demand life-or-death with intruders—especially a Nine Great Sect like Zhongnan yielding deliberately.
'Something's off. Are they scared of Zhongnan Sect?'
Jin So-cheong said.
"Fine. What's your demand?"
"If you lose, become Zhongnan Sect disciples. For life."
"......"
"Why? It wouldn't be bad, would it?"
The leisurely Zhongnan elder smirked, but Jin So-cheong spat bluntly.
"You're thinking of taking us as low disciples to insult our master's honor."
The elder, sly as an old fox, laughed heartily instead.
"Hahaha... Fighting that guy head-on is burdensome, but we can't ignore the shame of losing disciples. Right?"
"Not a great offer. I have nothing to learn from the likes of Zhongnan Sect."
Crackle.
The air in the hall grew heavier. Jin So-cheong's words provoked the Ten Great Elders, unleashing fiercer killing intent. Anyone below second-class might lose their mind just standing here. But Jin So-cheong endured calmly and said.
"...But I'll accept. How will the duel proceed?"
"Simple. Best of three, first to two wins. You can send out your little junior brother, or fight consecutively yourself; doesn't matter."
"Understood."
"You'll need rest time, so we start in half a shichen. Wait here."
The Ten Great Elders then left. Probably to tend to their battered disciples. My senior brother and I sat alone in the training hall, waiting, when a Zhongnan disciple brought warm tea. But ignoring it, I said to Jin So-cheong.
"Senior brother, what do you plan? This is insane."
"What's insane?"
"Staking their plaque on an expert they trot out... How?"
I couldn't continue. Martial artists obsessed over honor—even in Iron Blood Sect, they sent elders instead of risking the leader's loss. Much less a Nine Great Sect's plaque duel! Their representative would surely be a top-three expert.
Senior brother smirked.
"Win. That's the law of the martial world."
"True, but it's damn hard."
"Yet you don't seem that scared, junior brother? Others would be trembling, but your eyes show annoyance more than fear since earlier."
"......"
"That's my junior brother."
Watching the pleased Jin So-cheong, I had nothing to say. Truth be told, I wasn't scared either. Even if Zhongnan experts swarmed, I could blast them with my majestic internal energy and escape. Just worried this reincarnation might snag martial arts transmission.
"Best of three, so you go first, junior brother."
"Yes?!"
"Still don't get it?"
Jin So-cheong leaned casually against the wall and continued.
"This duel trip was planned from the start to build your real combat experience. You improve more in actual fights than training, so facing Zhongnan experts will accelerate your growth."
Now I understood this absurd Nine Great Sect challenge. Master Lee Gwang, who hated hassle and was coldly pragmatic, got fed up teaching a blockhead like me and decided on intensive training! He noticed my real-combat strength and planned secret technique transmission alongside live duels.
"But staking the plaque feels off for that..."
"We'll take it. Zhongnan bastards are arrogant."
"......"
"Anyway, relax. By master's standards, this isn't hard training."
What counts as hard, then?
I was curious but didn't ask. Assuming I lead in best of three, my opponent was guaranteed peak expert—Zhongnan's bloodthirsty one, eager to paint limbs under duel pretext. I shook my head.
"Haa... Long road ahead."
"Don't worry. You can do it."
"Nah, not really in the mood."
Jin So-cheong grinned. Silent pressure.
"But you gotta! Hahaha."
"Hahahaha..."
No choice now.
I'd resolved to train embracing death, so even if this reincarnation twists, best to maximize combat experience. The Iron Blood Sect beheading memory made such duels prickly, but I steeled myself.
Exactly half a shichen later, the Zhongnan Ten Great Elders stormed in. They faced us formally, assuming sword salute as if for the duel. Then, as one voice, they declared.
"We stake Zhongnan's honor on a fair duel."
Jin So-cheong stood matching their formality with a bow. I awkwardly followed.
"We stake Azure Dragon Martial Hall's honor on a fair duel."
Whoosh—
Our auras clashed and neutralized midway. The elders tried pressing Jin So-cheong with theirs, but my intrusion surprised them. A mere child emitting force matching theirs defied comprehension.
One of the Ten Great Elders stepped forward steadily.
"I am Jin Su of Zhongnan Sect's Ten Great Elders! I shall fight the first match."
He looked strong at a glance. Refined features, well-honed body, peak swordsman's sword qi palpable. No doubt comparable to Iron Blood Sect's top elder, Ghost Shadow Swordsman Jin Pyeong. Though the sect leader once claimed his own skill outmatched Zhongnan elders, objectivity was questionable.
Elder Jin Su eyed Jin So-cheong gravely.
"Your skill is outstanding beyond your years. But I shall give my all."
Jin So-cheong shook his head.
"You're not facing me."
"What?"
"My junior brother will fight you."
Step.
I was dragged onto the arena floor. Besides the Ten Great Elders, many unscathed Zhongnan disciples watched, eyes wide in shock.
Murmurs rose everywhere.
Their stares annoyed me, so at one zhang from Elder Jin Su, I clasped fists facing him squarely.
"Instructor of Azure Dragon Martial Hall, Baek Woong. I shall fight the first match."
"......"
Elder Jin Su's face flushed red then pale. Incomprehension boiling, he bellowed.
"Are you mocking us!!! Sending a bloody infant against me?!"
Jin So-cheong just nodded at me wordlessly. I nodded back, quietly drawing my sword. Feeling my battle spirit rise, Elder Jin Su hastily assumed stance, but I murmured low.
"Think it's a joke? Suit yourself."
"......"
Rumble—
Holding my sword mid-guard, I maximally circulated internal energy. Heavenly Thunder Energy automatically coated the blade, gleaming, and the training hall shook violently. My energy affected the air, manifesting as heat haze. Elder Jin Su hastily raised sword qi to counter, but as my aura surged, his pupils quaked.
"Th-this, how...?"
Even properly stanced, my energy crushed him back three steps. Desperate, he focused, but shock and despair etched his face. My unfathomable internal energy terrified him.
I swung, unleashing Heavenly Thunder Energy.
Kablooey!!
Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship's path etched like lightning, obliterating everything there. Elder Jin Su desperately deployed Zhongnan swordsmanship to block, a foolish choice. My swordsmanship, refined to transformation realm, sealed gaps; his middling skill couldn't defend.
Thud.
A heavy impact boomed before him, his body floating airborne. As he flew two zhang, I charged again with Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship. He gritted teeth, spraying peak sword qi.
Clang! Clang!
"Ugh."
Sword-flame qi rained down like a storm. I strained veins, countering branches with successive Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, but as a sect elder, he had limits I couldn't fully dispel. Instead, I opted for power push, unleashing Triple Lotus Slash again.
Boom.
A brilliant explosion rang. Half-suicidal mutual destruction thrust forced his defense—my aim. Each block visibly drained him, face paling, energy fleeing. Sword light wove the hall, shockwaves spanning zhangs erupting, prompting screams from watching disciples.
"Uwaaak."
"N-no. Run!"
Regular disciples panicked as the building seemed to crumble, retreating. My transcendent Heavenly Thunder Energy rent everything; lightning blades pierced amid Elder Jin Su's desperate endurance.
In a flash, fifty breaths passed. He occasionally countered, trying to toy with sword qi subtlety, but paled against what I'd seen sparring Master Lee Gwang. I pierced feints, herding him into inescapable defense.
Internal energy gap: at least twentyfold. Each focused strike demanded his full block, or he'd explode.
Then I seized the decisive chance, spinning half-turn to smash down.
Boom.
"Uwaaak..."
Elder Jin Su dodged the final blow but exposed a gap, flung far. He'd likely protected with qi energy at end—no major injury, but definitely out. I approached, checked, and sheathed.
Clink.
"One win."
Now confirmed.
I could handle peak experts handily.
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