The Qi Arts Master - Chapter 50
The soldiers guarding Juwonjang like an escort groaned.
“Ugh……”
“Keuk.”
Tian Ailang took another step forward.
“Khek!”
“Mmph!”
The soldiers directly in front of Tian Ailang began dropping to their knees. They simply couldn't endure the pressure bearing down on their bodies.
Yet Nidaihyeok, Chanh Ho, and Song Sogeol standing behind Tian Ailang felt nothing at all.
Isn't this just like the true Heavenly Demon Overlord Step? Chanh Ho marveled inwardly.
The Heavenly Demon Overlord Step was renowned for its powerful footwork, but its true essence lay in overwhelming everything before you with sheer force, compelling all to kneel in submission.
Chanh Ho gazed steadily at Tian Ailang. What a reliable friend, he thought.
To Chanh Ho, Tian Ailang had always been a positive, comforting presence. Their meeting had been the turning point that transformed his life. After the cruel, lonely days of the past, his time with Tian Ailang had been filled with nothing but happiness—as if making up for all those hardships.
When Tian Ailang had casually admitted losing his internal energy, it had shattered every preconception Chanh Ho held about him. Of course, Tian Ailang had regained his power through enlightenment, and the martial prowess he'd shown afterward was astonishing. But that was all. No matter how much his friend's abilities had changed, their bond as sworn brothers remained unchanged. Tian Ailang's attitude had stayed consistent, making him all the more trustworthy.
That deep trust had often made Chanh Ho want to share even his darkest secret. Lately, he'd even genuinely wished to abandon his old allegiances and stay with his brothers forever.
But he couldn't. He didn't want to shatter this happiness and peace.
Then people from his sect had come, disrupting that tranquility. He'd sent them away for now, but he knew his time with his brothers was running out.
Ignoring the sect's orders was impossible. Beyond the betrayal of blood ties, his selfishness could put his precious brothers in danger.
Chanh Ho shook his head to clear the heavy thoughts. His eyes fell on Tian Ailang's back, as the man led the way, shielding them all.
At that moment, a white-haired elder stepped in front of Tian Ailang, blocking his aura.
“That's enough.”
Tian Ailang regarded the elder with impassive eyes.
“Apologize.”
Crack!
Invisible energies clashed between them, splitting the ground.
The elder swallowed hard, facing Tian Ailang's extraordinarily profound internal energy. He'd never underestimated him, but this was beyond expectation.
Tian Ailang took another step.
Crack-crack!
“Hup!”
A small groan escaped the white-haired elder's lips.
Then Hwauun approached the elder's side and bowed his head to Tian Ailang.
“Stand down. I'll apologize in his place.”
Juwonjang, watching from behind, frowned at Hwauun's sudden move. Things weren't unfolding as he'd imagined, leaving him irritated. He'd planned a little provocation, a big brawl, then drinks and friendship. But it had gotten tangled. He'd meant to step in with his master to calm things, but Hwauun had beaten him to it.
Tian Ailang looked at the man bowing calmly before him.
“What's your name?”
Hwauun raised his head and met Tian Ailang's gaze.
“Hwauun.”
Tian Ailang nodded. But his eyes grew fiercer.
“If you don't want to die, step up. I want Juwonjang's apology.”
Shing.
Hwauun drew his sword at Tian Ailang's words.
“Watch your words.”
“Watch my words?”
Boom!
Tian Ailang stomped down hard. Hwauun paled, sensing the unprecedented force bearing down on him.
He desperately swung his sword at the oncoming energy. Sword qi shot from his blade.
But Tian Ailang's aura didn't dissipate—instead, it surged even stronger.
Hwauun knew that taking it head-on, even with protective qi, would cause severe internal injuries.
Just then, Juwonjang drew the wide dao from his waist with a mighty pull, blocking Hwauun's path. He slammed it into the ground.
Kaboom!
Juwonjang's dao qi collided with Tian Ailang's energy, causing the earth to erupt like an explosion.
As all eyes turned to Tian Ailang, Juwonjang, and Hwauun, Chanh Ho watched the elder. He wasn't radiating killing intent, but he was poised like a seasoned assassin, waiting for an opening.
Sure enough, the moment Tian Ailang stomped and unleashed his energy, the elder vanished.
Chanh Ho launched himself toward Tian Ailang with lightness skill, twisting his body in an unnatural contortion.
Screeech!
His body made a sound like an overtaxed machine. From the front, his back was fully exposed as every muscle twisted to its limit. The instant his foot hit the ground, he released the twist.
Screeeee!
A piercing whistle like a signal arrow rang out.
Clang!
Chanh Ho's sword clashed fiercely with the elder's in midair.
All martial artists develop keen senses. The higher the realm, the more superhuman they become—reacting to faint presences in sleep or instinctively dodging attacks from behind without conscious thought.
But even they have moments when their senses dull: when unleashing massive internal energy.
That's why the elder had waited for Tian Ailang's stomp, sensing the huge qi surge, and struck.
Yet this unexpected swift sword left his hand numb. It wasn't laden with overwhelming qi—just incredible speed that translated into devastating force.
“Hah.”
The elder stared at his sword in disbelief. Despite wrapping it in qi near sword force levels, the edge was badly chipped.
Even amid his qi clash with Juwonjang, Tian Ailang observed Chanh Ho and the elder's exchange. In his mind, Chanh Ho's movements replayed in slow motion like photographs.
Twisting his body for maximum speed and power was impressive, but what stood out was the instant their swords met—qi flashed from Chanh Ho's blade and vanished. It was the same ascending technique he'd seen before, now even stronger and more refined.
In the brief lull, Juwonjang pulled his dao and bowed his head.
“My apologies. I just wanted to get friendly with a clumsy provocation. Seems I overdid it. I bow my head sincerely.”
Hwauun behind him startled, his face twisting in anger.
“Captain! How can you bow? Use my neck instead!”
Juwonjang raised a hand and shook his head.
“I can't let a subordinate take blame for my mistake. We started this seeing each other as brothers, didn't we? I'd find it hard to endure if someone insulted my brothers too.”
“Mm……”
“And I'd sooner die than dodge responsibility with a subordinate's neck. That's my last pride.”
Hwauun fell silent. It was exactly that side of Juwonjang that made him pledge his life.
Nidaihyeok bowed his head too, hearing Juwonjang's words. He'd followed for the same reasons. But he felt guilty toward both Juwonjang and Tian Ailang for failing to prevent this as their strategist and for lacking a solution.
Despite Juwonjang's apology, Tian Ailang remained expressionless, not withdrawing his aura. Juwonjang bowed again.
“Brothers of the Qi Arts house, I apologize to you all once more, from the heart.”
Hwauun didn't like seeing his massive force's leader bow so easily, but he couldn't stop it. He bowed alongside.
How could a subordinate keep his head stiff when the leader bowed?
As Juwonjang apologized to Chanh Ho and Song Sogeol too, Tian Ailang glanced at Chanh Ho.
Reading his eyes, Chanh Ho sheathed his sword, crossed his arms, smiled faintly, and shrugged. Handle it your way.
Tian Ailang then looked at Song Sogeol.
Song Sogeol was thrilled that Tian Ailang had raged for him. He'd suspected it during the mine rescue, but Tian Ailang didn't hesitate for his own. He just grinned broadly.
Only after confirming both brothers' feelings did Tian Ailang withdraw his aura. The oppressive force that had weighed on all directions vanished in an instant, as if it had never been.
The elder gaped at Tian Ailang. Raising internal energy swiftly was an ascending realm feat, but dissipating it was even harder. Mishandled, it could lead to qi deviation. Most warriors, after raising qi, carefully lowered it—Shaolin monks, for instance, extended open palms, drawing it to the solar plexus on inhale and back to the dantian on exhale. Everyone had their method to deliberately gather the qi, preventing strain.
The elder walked to Juwonjang's side and lightly cupped his fists.
Fist-cupping greetings were common among martial artists, but rare for an elder to initiate with juniors.
“I apologize too. And today, my eyes are truly opened.”
Tian Ailang glanced at Nidaihyeok, who bowed in shame.
Tian Ailang approached and lightly patted his shoulder twice.
“You're our brother too. Straighten up.”
Only after tending to all his brothers did Tian Ailang formally return the fist-cup to the elder and Juwonjang.
“Tian Ailang.”
No trace of lingering anger or smug satisfaction at making a great leader bow showed on Tian Ailang. Juwonjang's lips curved up, and he laughed heartily, cupping his fists.
“Hahaha! I'm Juwonjang. I'm used to my position and orders, so if my tone grated, forgive it generously.”
Tian Ailang nodded nonchalantly.
Hwauun behind Juwonjang sheathed his sword reverse-grip and cupped his fists.
“Hwauun, the captain's escort and interim executive officer.”
Their sworn brothers returned greetings.
“As you know, Nidaihyeok, military strategist to Captain Juwonjang and sworn brother to these three.”
“Song Sogeol.”
“Chanh Ho.”
Chanh Ho's greeting was curt, but no one would nitpick in this thawing atmosphere.
Finally, the elder sheathed his sword and spoke.
“Gono the Reclusive Sage. Just call me Gono.”
* * *
In the spacious tent, six men sat around a roughly made round table.
“I'll pour a round. Glad to meet you all. Whatever the first impressions, let's wash them away boldly with this drink.”
Juwonjang poured personally.
“Where's that Hwauun fellow?”
Song Sogeol's question drew a headshake from Juwonjang.
“I invited him, but he said he had to manage the troops and left. That guy's stubborn as iron tendons—I can't sway him much.”
“Seems a loyal subordinate.”
Tian Ailang recalled Hwauun's sharp eyes, drawing his sword to shield Juwonjang.
Juwonjang chuckled at Tian Ailang's words.
“Think of him as a neighborhood buddy. I was the alley boss as a kid. Now I'm a real captain. Kahaha!”
Juwonjang's massive frame shook with booming laughter.
As glasses filled, Juwonjang raised his to eye level and downed it in one fiery gulp. The others followed.
“Kuh! Strongest booze I've tasted.”
Chanh Ho grimaced, wiping liquor from his lips.
Gono laughed heartily.
“It's Bunju. They say even Du Fu would recite poetry with this brew.”
“Brother Chanh Ho was weak last time too, huh?”
Song Sogeol teased. Chanh Ho's eyebrow twitched.
“Heroes are supposed to hold their liquor, but looks like you're no hero, Brother Chanh Ho.”
Chanh Ho's eyebrow twitched repeatedly. He snatched the bottle in front of Juwonjang like lightning, refilled his glass, and topped Song Sogeol's too.
Grinning confidently, he downed it. Song Sogeol snorted at the provocation. He'd bested burly adults in drinking since childhood. It was just cute.
Song Sogeol smirked mockingly and tossed back his glass.
Tian Ailang shook his head at the sudden two-man race. They did this sometimes. Whenever drinks appeared, Song Sogeol provoked, Chanh Ho bit, and a contest began. It wasn't just booze—petty bets led to endless rivalry. Tian Ailang mediating when it got excessive was routine.
Juwonjang watched their drinking duel with curious eyes, his mouth twitching.
He shot to his feet, dragged a chair to Chanh Ho's side, and plopped down roughly.
“Count me in. A real man lives for booze, right? Your spirit stirs my competitive blood.”
“Whoa, Brother's a hero too. Let's see who lasts. My martial arts suck, but I can make Zhang Fei weep with my drinking.”
Juwonjang laughed, throat wide open.
“Kahahaha! Daring to talk booze before me? Adorable. I'd handle two Zhang Feis easy!”
Chanh Ho's eyebrow twitched again.
“I'm insulted being compared to Zhang Fei in drinking. This ant-nostril cup won't cut it.”
Tian Ailang pressed his forehead at their bravado.