Chapter 150 : Chapter 150
Chapter 150 Wind and Cloud Sword Demon (3)
Paperwork is originally tedious. Perhaps it was more so because one cannot attach interest to it like martial arts.
Yeom Gi-ha and Singija tended to fill that tediousness with bickering conversations.
“Tsk tsk. You bastard have too little flexibility.”
“If I truly lacked flexibility, the Alliance Leader would not be a person of this world long ago.”
Like this.
“Um…… Your words are correct.”
Since he admitted quickly, Yeom Gi-ha was indeed a person with at least a minimum conscience.
At that moment, a figure fell from the ceiling of the office and prostrated.
“What is the matter?”
Knowing the figure’s identity is a Murim Alliance Special Operations Unit member, Yeom Gi-ha and Singija accepted it casually.
However, the information the Special Operations Unit member brought was not casual.
“A large-scale massacre has been detected in the Northern Steppe.”
“Um.”
It was because if a Special Operations Unit member refers to it as ‘large-scale massacre,’ the scale could be guessed.
“Is it a civil war?”
Since the warriors of the Northern Steppe were divided and frequently fought civil wars, Singija’s guess had grounds.
“We have identified it as the doing of Demonic Cultists.”
“Um.”
But since that was wrong, it became right to assume the worst situation.
“The situation?”
“Demonic Cultists who left Xinjiang are traversing east and slaughtering the warriors of the Northern Steppe defending their territories. Guessing, it is the Exploding Mountain No Clan.”
The Special Operations Unit members always monitored the movements of the Northern Steppe.
The reason being, it was for the surveillance of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It was because via the Northern Steppe, the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult on the outskirts of Xinjiang could reach key points in the Central Plains like Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei in one breath.
In other words, it was a natural story that the Special Operations Unit member always monitored the movements of the Northern Steppe.
Because there is no way Chief Strategist Singija would take such an important part lightly.
“Their destination?”
The strategist’s eyes flashed unusually.
Inside his head would be moving more agilely than a rising master’s technique.
“Guessing, it is Jilin or Black Dragon River.”
In other words, it means their traverse has already crossed north of Hebei.
“Gija-ya.”
“I know.”
Singija knew Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha’s concern.
The reason being, it was because he knew the fact that Dancheon Myeong headed to Jilin Province recently.
Isn't Dancheon Myeong exactly the most important figure of the Righteous Murim recently and the one holding the authority of Captain of the Murim Alliance Special Operations Unit?
It was a natural thing to grasp his tracks frequently.
Both Singija and Yeom Gi-ha realized the fact that the current situation is not a coincidence.
“I must go.”
Yeom Gi-ha spoke resolutely.
“……There would be no other way.”
This time, even Singija had no justification to stop Yeom Gi-ha.
It was because even in Singija’s thought, Dancheon Myeong’s safety was more important than approving ten thousand documents.
“Wouldn't you need additional manpower?”
Yeom Gi-ha made a serious expression unlike him.
“Please, as fast as possible.”
“Understood.”
With those words, Yeom Gi-ha’s figure disappeared from the Murim Alliance.
“I think someone was in Jilin…….”
Along with the Emperor Breaker’s low murmur.
* * *
Originally, a rising martial artist must be able to engage in battle in perfect condition anytime, anywhere.
It would be because in the stormy Jianghu of sword mountains and forests, the watershed determining my lifespan visits truly unexpectedly.
I cannot say to an enemy aiming for my life, ‘Since my condition is not good today, please come again at this time tomorrow,’ can I?
Knowing this fact well, I always maintain a perfect condition.
It would be difficult to say best, but it wouldn't be lacking to say at least optimal condition.
“Please treat me well.”
In other words, it also means I cannot blame luck or time if I lose now.
“Hohoho.”
Whether my conduct wholly containing the etiquette of a famous family is welcome, Lee Ja-seong laughed.
“Since I cannot point a sword at my disciple’s friend, it would be right to compete with fist techniques.”
“Yes.”
Since there is no weapon I am equipping after giving the Dancheon Sword to Brother Dancheon Hak, that is also not bad.
Although he said fist techniques, actually I know, and Lee Ja-seong knows, the fact that it is a story with no difference.
For a martial artist who surpassed the Harmony Realm and reached the State of Harmony, in other words, a martial artist capable of forming a Formless Sword, fist and kick are also not different from a sword.
To put it differently, it also means a sword is not different from my limbs.
“Since it will be difficult for that guy Chun-baek to mediate, it would be good to restrict the emission of internal energy too.”
“Only emission?”
“If we forbid internal energy itself, wouldn't I not be able to prove what I said?”
“Understood.”
The appearance of Lee Ja-seong speaking quietly looked quite relaxed.
It would be right to forget for a moment the fact that he is Brother Chun-baek’s master.
The one in front of my eyes right now is the living legend of the Jianghu Murim, Wind and Cloud Sword Demon, who completed the Limitless Martial Arts Travel.
Since it will be lacking even if I take out everything I have and collide, I will exclude personal feelings and do my best.
“Be careful. Since my fist techniques have no eyes.”
“It is fine. My fist techniques have eyes attached.”
As said, the Wind and Cloud Sword Demon is a martial artist of the era before Yeom Gi-ha.
Moreover, considering the time he was active, I know the fact that his generation would be similar to Wuji Jin-in.
Since they said the most dangerous person in the Jianghu Murim is exactly an old man, I will move assuming so.
“I am coming.”
Of course, it would be right to unfold fist techniques while keeping the minimum line.
Isn't this place not a field of life-and-death duel right now?
“Rush in with the intention to kill me.”
Although Lee Ja-seong’s thought seemed different from mine.
.
.
.
Seuseut-
Shift Form Change Position.
It is a truly high-level movement art, but for me who achieved Five Qis Courting the Origin, it is also nothing but agile footwork.
Even though crude, even Void-Stepping utilizing Will is possible, what difficulty is there in Shift Form Change Position that just moves fast?
Instantly my figure revealed itself in front of Lee Ja-seong.
Spot-!
A fluttering fist strike brushed Lee Ja-seong’s face leaving an inch.
Only the emission of internal energy was restricted, but the operation of internal energy is a fist strike reaching the extreme. It would contain power not lacking to crush a rock.
“Good.”
Dodging such a fist strike, Lee Ja-seong didn't even blink his eyes.
Since his gaze is exactly touching the end of my fist strike, I know the fact that he still has composure.
“Hup!”
Huung- Pat! Buung- Papat! Pat! Tak!
Six moves of fist and kick unleashed in an instant returned as cheerful sounds.
Sounds made as Lee Ja-seong dodged what to dodge and blocked what to block.
‘Um.’
I know clearly where Brother Chun-baek’s concise sword technique originated.
Unlike me moving loudly, I realized the fact that Lee Ja-seong is moving truly efficiently.
There is no lack in stamina, but I know the fact that the current situation is not good.
“Good.”
“I will go again.”
“I will also try to exert a little more strength.”
I couldn't give an answer to his words.
“Hup!”
Swaaek-
It was because my fist strike was already rushing towards him.
Flash.
Lee Ja-seong’s eyes flashed, and I had an illusion that time stopped for a moment.
Tak.
“……!”
To be precise, my fist strike stopped.
At the shoulder point, in other words, the shoulder blade, Lee Ja-seong’s palm center was placed. If it wasn't the palm center but a fist, no, even a finger, I would have been in big trouble.
My fist strike with the flow of power cut off was fluttering in front of Lee Ja-seong’s brow.
“Chit!”
Reflexively, I pushed away Lee Ja-seong’s palm center with my left hand and spun a roundhouse kick largely.
Huung-
“Big.”
Tak.
Pulseok.
“……!”
It was a truly simple one move.
It was just Lee Ja-seong tapping the back of my left knee, the central axis of my attack, with his toe.
The aftermath of that simple one move was absolutely not simple.
Not only did I lose balance, but it was because the flow of True Qi was ruined.
Naturally, my roundhouse kick that was being shot receiving elasticity also became useless. What difference is there between a fist technique losing ground connection and the dance of an entertainer?
Added to that, since I knelt, as a rising martial artist I couldn't hide my shame.
“…….”
As said, the opponent is a living legend of the Jianghu Murim.
Since he is an absolute realm master who completed the Limitless Martial Arts Travel, I thought I could lose.
Since I absolutely do not overestimate myself.
“……I lost.”
But even I didn't know I would lose like this.
Even though it was an informal competition restricting the emission of internal energy, I mean I didn't know such a stark gap would exist.
“Hm.”
Lee Ja-seong gently stroked under his ear. Red energy seeped out from his fingertips.
“It is beyond thought.”
The aftermath of my roundhouse kick must have slightly cut his skin and passed.
“It would be right to correct my words. You are indeed a shining rough gemstone.”
This time too, Lee Ja-seong seemed to harbor a different thought from me.
.
.
.
Actually, this is something that doesn't make sense.
The fact that a martial artist who achieved Five Qis Courting the Origin and reached the State of Harmony was suppressed by having the back of his knee kicked.
No matter that emission of internal energy was restricted, it should be seen as a result that doesn't make sense by common sense.
To the extent that if some busybody chattered to Myeong-gae about what happened now as information, I would smack his head with a beggar's gourd telling him not to talk nonsense.
But that event actually happened.
Since it is an event that happened to me, it means it is an undeniable truth.
“If it were a life-and-death duel, it wouldn't have become like this.”
As if guessing my heart, Lee Ja-seong opened the preface.
Lee Ja-seong’s words are true.
It is because fights between masters of the State of Harmony who execute the operation of True Qi to the extreme usually do not end in a short-term decisive battle.
But at the same time, Lee Ja-seong’s words are also false.
It is because he and I fairly restricted the emission of True Qi.
In other words, it means if we don't fill the gap with the emission of True Qi, he and I have this big a gap.
“I seek teaching.”
I bowed my head without hesitation.
This should also be evaluated as a miraculous encounter.
In the point that the opponent who informed me of my helplessness is not a life-and-death enemy, but a friend’s master.
Beyond saving my life, even more so because I can seek learning.
“Would it be okay?”
I know the intention of Lee Ja-seong asking back.
I know the fact that beings called martial artists usually possess lofty pride.
It is because to navigate the vast ocean called martial arts, one must stand oneself upright wholly.
Lee Ja-seong’s realm would be the State of Harmony, and I am also walking the realm of the State of Harmony.
Surely as he said, if we fight releasing full power, it couldn't be guaranteed who would stand until the end.
Nevertheless, since I bowed my head and sought teaching, pride seeped into Lee Ja-seong’s eyes looking at me.
“If I refuse when there is an opportunity for learning, it would become a regret of a thousand years.”
But what importance is there in the realm?
I saw my own lack, and I saw Lee Ja-seong’s greatness.
What else is needed to seek teaching, I mean.
“You seem much more excellent than me in my youth.”
Lee Ja-seong, who nodded satisfactorily, continued his words.
“It wouldn't amount to teaching, but I will try to give an old man’s nagging for a moment.”
Lee Ja-seong’s gaze headed towards his disciple watching the duel from afar.
Although Brother Chun-baek knows my realm well, there was absolutely no admiration in his energy.
Guessing, Brother Chun-baek might have predicted the current result.
“Chun-baek-ah.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You also come and listen together.”
“Yes, understood.”
As if this was also a familiar process, Brother Chun-baek quickly approached and took a seat.
“Hm. Where should I start…….”
Right this moment.
The fact that I lost in vain was not important.
I saw a path to become stronger.
That was exactly what was important.