The Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign
The rumors about the newly emerged Life-and-Death Realm expert known as the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign spread across the entire Murim world at astonishing speed.
Merely reaching the Life-and-Death Realm was shocking enough, but the fact that he had announced his name by slaughtering three Profound Realm masters from the Shadow Demon Cult made it even more unbelievable.
Rumors are usually exaggerated, so quite a few people refused to believe the stories in their entirety.
However.
A second rumor struck the Murim world like a thunderbolt—something that both believers and skeptics alike could not help but pay attention to.
It was said that the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign had settled in the Han Estate of Okhan City in the northern region and had begun training an unparalleled supreme art capable of astonishing the heavens and shaking the earth.
The technique was supposedly so extraordinary that even before entering Okhan City, the ripples of its energy could be felt. Trained warhorses would panic and rear up, while those with keen senses would find their breath caught in their throats.
Unable to suppress their curiosity, many martial artists flocked to Okhan City in the north after hearing the rumors.
Yet none dared approach the estate itself. They merely loitered around its perimeter before returning to their own territories to boast about their experiences. They claimed to have sensed a truly heaven-shaking, earth-shattering aura.
The more the rumors spread, the more martial artists gathered out of curiosity.
Some had boldly declared they would challenge the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign to a bout, yet upon arrival they would respectfully cup their fists toward the estate in a formal greeting before quietly withdrawing.
Even the Black Mountain Spear Sovereign—one of the Ten Great Masters of Murim—was drawn by the rumors and visited Okhan City. He sought an audience with the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign, but after being told the master was in secluded cultivation, he could not even enter the estate.
For a proud member of the Ten Great Masters, this could have been seen as a loss of face. Especially since the Black Mountain Spear Sovereign was known for his volatile temper and position between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions—someone who would not hesitate to cause a scene.
Yet this time, he simply withdrew with utmost politeness and courtesy, saying he understood.
He claimed that as a fellow martial artist, he respected the importance of secluded cultivation and would not disturb it. However, the general consensus was that he had simply been overwhelmed by the terrifying aura emanating from the estate and dared not cause any trouble.
While martial artists from all over the rivers and lakes flocked to the area as if on a pilgrimage—some even choosing to settle there permanently—the opposite was also happening.
All the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions that had been indirectly competing for influence in this ambiguous border region through proxy minor sects suddenly withdrew their hands as if by prior agreement.
It was tantamount to acknowledging the entire city of Okhan as the domain of the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign, Han Yujin. Strangely enough, he had never once expressed any such desire.
All the covert power struggles that had been taking place in the shadows vanished almost overnight. In response, many merchants and clans in Okhan City began sending “gifts” to the estate as if they had received some kind of signal.
In the end, whether he liked it or not, Dok Junseong naturally stepped forward.
Using local forces, he restored order and established new security measures. With skill befitting his experience, he solidified his position in the blink of an eye. Naturally, this was as the representative of the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign.
And so, the entire northern region of Okhan City became Han Yujin’s territory.
It was impossible not to recall the Murim proverb: “In the end, only strength decides everything.”
It had been roughly two months since Han Yujin began the proper refinement of the Dragon Heart using the Three Realms Harmony Art.
He was enjoying his days with immense satisfaction, having gained three unexpected benefits so great that he needed to revise parts of his original plan.
The first was this:
Originally, he had planned to train the Taiyi Five Elements Dao Scripture only after reaching the Nascent Soul stage with the Taiji Membership Art. That way, he could fully enjoy the body and soul strengthening effects of Origin Power, awaken the Origin Power Great Hand divine ability, and later achieve flawless growth through the Taiyi Five Elements Dao Scripture.
However.
Even though he had not yet completed the first stage of the Three Realms Harmony Art—the Qi Meridian stage—he could already feel something.
‘Once I enter the Foundation Establishment stage… my Dharma Power itself will carry the same, or perhaps even greater effects than ordinary Origin Power.’
In other words, more than half of the benefits he would have gained from training the Taiji Membership Art had already vanished.
This meant it would be fine to train the Taiji Membership Art only until he reached the Critical Establishment stage. Once he experienced and comprehended the Origin Power Great Hand, there would be no need to continue.
The second benefit:
It would likely begin showing proper effects from the Foundation Establishment stage, and become even clearer once he reached the final Body Refining stage.
This Dragon Heart refinement would more than double his lifespan. Moreover, it would increase alongside his cultivation realm.
‘It’s clearly the effect of my constitution changing exactly as I hoped.’
Spiritual roots were not the only factor determining one’s talent for cultivation.
Constitution was also a form of talent. A constitution advantageous for special techniques or divine abilities was called a Spiritual Body, while even superior ones were known as Dao Bodies.
According to the texts he had read so far, unless extremely unusual, those with Spiritual Bodies received treatment similar to those with heavenly spiritual roots, while Dao Body possessors received even higher regard.
Since the cultivation world did not grant such treatment for no reason, whatever changes his constitution underwent, it was bound to be something to look forward to.
Simply the increase in lifespan was already an immeasurable gain. It would give him far more leeway to utilize his awakening ability, wouldn’t it?
And the third benefit:
He could already sense the budding signs of a new divine ability taking shape. It was a power related to illusions, inherited from Casarnox’s characteristics.
Like the awakening abilities of Earth’s hunters, it was a new and highly useful tool that could be used on a far more instinctive level than spells.
It also seemed likely to create a synergistic effect with the Dream Illusion Mind Snatching Art, which made it even more promising. He already felt that casting the Dream Illusion Mind Snatching Art had become noticeably easier.
‘This is what a Dragon Heart should be.’
Even now, thinking back, his encounter with Casarnox had been an incredible stroke of fortune. If not for him, no matter which Dragon Heart he had obtained, it would have been extremely—extremely—extremely difficult to feel this satisfied.
Guuuuung…!
Suddenly.
A pulse like a heartbeat surged from the massive Dragon Heart he was embracing. Han Yujin, who had been operating the Three Realms Harmony Art, frowned for a moment before his expression relaxed again, and he continued his training.
As he had listed earlier.
The dignity of this Dragon Heart was so great that he had gained several unexpected benefits.
Precisely because it was so extraordinary, there were, unfortunately, certain things he had to give up during the refinement process.
It was simply impossible to use it as an external core for the Critical Establishment stage while perfectly preserving all of its Void Refinement stage power.
The pulse just now had been a minor collision occurring during the process of relinquishing part of that power. Even the finest raw gemstone must be carved away to complete a statue.
‘If I were to prioritize preserving it over maintaining myself, that would be a different story…’
In short, it would mean making himself—not the Dragon Heart—the primary target of the Three Realms Harmony Art.
That was naturally an option not even worth considering. It would be like cutting off one’s own feet just to wear a pair of incredibly expensive luxury shoes—an utterly insane idea.
Fortunately, this item had shown excellent compatibility with him from the very beginning, allowing a light connection right away.
‘Casarnox’s declaration at that time must have played a major role.’
Thanks to that, the amount that needed to be carved away seemed to have decreased considerably. Still, it was difficult to say for certain what form it would take once the refinement was complete.
Much later.
As the sun began to set, he concluded today’s session of the Three Realms Harmony Art. It was only natural—clinging to it endlessly would reduce efficiency, and he had other things to do.
Stepping outside the building, he strolled through the well-maintained garden while admiring the sunset sky.
Seogwang Gahu, who had grown up in a prestigious clan, possessed considerable knowledge and experience in such matters. Thanks to him, hiring people to run the estate properly had been no problem at all.
‘Should I create the Origin Power martial arts a little faster?’
He had never urged them to follow him, nor had he mentioned any rewards. Yet these people had willingly come along and helped him in so many ways. It seemed only right to give them something in return.
‘And by bestowing such grace, I can create other uses for them as well…’
He was leisurely organizing several additional plans in his mind when—
Jjik! Jjijik—!
Mu-yong, who had been off playing somewhere unknown, came running at full speed, climbed up his body, and perched on his shoulder.
Han Yujin, who had sensed her through his divine sense, looked at her with interest and asked,
“Where did you get those clothes?”
The light blue outfit that had been perfectly tailored for her looked both incredibly cute and comical. It was especially amusing that someone in this Murim world had thought to dress a pet in clothes.
Jjijik—! Jjik!
“Eun Miryeong made them?”
He lifted Mu-yong with both hands and examined the clothed figure. The way she twitched her nose, clearly bursting with excitement, made Han Yujin smile as well.
At that moment, he sensed someone approaching from behind. It was Eun Miryeong.
She seemed to have come looking for Mu-yong, but upon spotting Han Yujin, she immediately bowed respectfully.
“You have come out, Eun-gong. Shall I prepare dinner?”
“No, not today. Did you make this…?”
When he pointed at Mu-yong’s clothes and asked, she blushed slightly and nodded.
“Yes… I thought it would suit her well.”
“It does suit her. She seems to like it quite a bit too.”
After stroking Mu-yong a few times, Han Yujin set her down. She immediately ran over and leaped into the arms of Eun Miryeong, who had given her such a wonderful gift.
Holding the little creature, Eun Miryeong hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage.
“Eun-gong, actually… I also made clothes for you.”
“Clothes for me?”
He asked reflexively, then realized he had not changed his clothes even once since arriving. He was still wearing the same wandering daoist robes he had been in when he stepped through the gate using his awakening ability.
Of course, as a Dharma Soul stage cultivator who had even learned purification techniques, there was not a speck of filth on him. That was precisely why those around him found him even more mysterious.
Yet a sense of normalcy from his past life suddenly resurfaced. Looking at Eun Miryeong, he said,
“Let me see them.”
“…Yes! Eun-gong.”
Unable to hide her joy, she led him to a building not far from the one he used as both residence and training room.
After asking him to wait a moment, she went inside and returned with neatly folded blue garments. They were the exact same color as the outfit Mu-yong was currently wearing on her shoulder.
He took them and spread them out in the air using his telekinesis. Instantly, he was pleased.
They were made with excellent mobility like martial robes, yet featured wide outer sleeves and gold thread embroidery that gave them an air of refinement. The tasteful use of white and deep blue created an elegant impression, and the golden lotus patterns embroidered subtly across the entire garment particularly caught the eye.
“……You made this yourself?”
“Yes, Eun-gong.”
“This is amazing. I had no idea you possessed such skill in sewing…”
Han Yujin was in the middle of praising her in admiration when he suddenly fell silent.
Their eyes met. Her face was flushed bright red.
He had always thought she was beautiful. From the first time he saw her, he had been forced to acknowledge her beauty, so it was only natural.
But beneath the glow of the sunset, having just received such a carefully crafted gift, the sight of her stirred a clear ripple in his heart.
“Thank you. Truly.”
“Yes, Eun-gong…”
“Since I’ve received something like this, I suppose I should give you a proper gift in return soon.”
He stored the floating garments away and smiled while holding them in his hand.
“Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Then let’s eat together.”
Although he had declined earlier, he changed his mind.
As he walked with Eun Miryeong, he inwardly decided to hasten the creation of the Origin Power martial arts.
It was necessary both to repay their kindness and to ensure that the various powers of Murim would come seeking “deals” with him.