Rebirth of the Thunder God

After bidding farewell to his brother, Namgung Hui returned to the Martial Alliance.

He flew back in an instant, at a speed that others would find unbelievable.

He had gained explosive propulsion by reaching the 10th stage of the Purple Thunder Divine Art.

And thanks to the rapid improvement of his Wind God Steps, the distance of one province could now be covered in half a day.

Having reached the 3rd stage of the Wind God Steps, Swift Wind, he truly felt like a bird flying in the sky, ignoring even air resistance.

Upon arriving at the Martial Alliance, Namgung Hui heard a brief summary of what had happened from Yelu Guang.

"So. The Divine Dragon and the Sword Dragon have already advanced to the semi-finals. And the Heavenly Dragon and you will face each other in the last duel today?"

"Yes. And brother, you were lucky enough to get a bye because your opponent forfeited. I have to face the Heavenly Dragon, so I'm quite envious."

They say the number 7 symbolizes good luck in the West.

Perhaps receiving that energy, he was lucky enough to advance to the semi-finals in one go.

Well, it wasn't like he was worried about fighting in the quarter-finals anyway.

"Then for today's schedule, I just need to watch your match."

"Is it alright if you don't watch the women's division? Sister Seolhwa is receiving a lot of attention these days. So many men are hitting on her. Aren't you worried?"

"...Well. What would change if I watched? She's going to win them all and advance to the finals anyway."

Although Namgung Hui hadn't watched all the women's division matches, he judged that no matter how many masters there were, no one could defeat Beak Seolhwa.

In the first place, even if the Seven Dragons were to challenge Beak Seolhwa, Namgung Hui would bet his money on her.

'The Divine Dragon and the Mad Dragon are not to be ignored, but if she pulls out her hidden cards, Beak Seolhwa will definitely win. She has never shown her full power even when facing me.'

There was nothing as boring as watching a predetermined outcome.

The process might be somewhat interesting, but that's only when the opponents are of a similar level.

Besides, Namgung Hui had things to do right now, so he decided to boldly skip the women's division matches.

"Brother. Then are you not going to watch my match either?"

"That's not it. I haven't seen the Heavenly Dragon fight yet because the Poison Dragon forfeited last time, right? I have to watch that. He might be my opponent."

"So you're saying I'm not even in your consideration. I'm disappointed, brother."

"You brat. A man gets sulky over something like this? You'll lose it if you keep that up."

Yelu Guang brushed off Namgung Hui's hand that was ruffling his hair and said.

"If that happens, I'll just become a eunuch and enter the imperial palace. It would be easier to find my younger sibling then. And I'd be one step closer to revenge."

At the word 'revenge,' a murderous intent, unbecoming of the simple Yelu Guang, seemed to emanate.

Namgung Hui imprinted that image of Yelu Guang in his eyes for a moment before continuing.

"Any news about your younger sibling yet?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, Young Master Jegal Geon said not yet."

"I see. I'll stop by later and press him a little. Alright, alright. It's almost time, so go and wait in the waiting room."

If he was in an agitated state like this, it would negatively affect his duel.

He would have to meditate in the waiting room for a while and calm his mind to be able to show something in his battle against the Heavenly Dragon.

Although Yelu Guang was not a complete novice, he had to be fully prepared to fight without regrets.

As Yelu Guang entered the waiting room, Namgung Hui took a seat in the audience.

Most of the people placing bets were betting on the Heavenly Dragon, and Namgung Hui also thought he should probably bet on the Heavenly Dragon.

But still, there was such a thing as loyalty.

'If my guess is correct, it wouldn't be strange for Guang to win. As Kang Yuseong said, to make big money, you have to take big risks.'

Without a moment's hesitation, Namgung Hui bet half of the silver coins he had on Yelu Guang.

Although he didn't know Murong Junseong's skills for sure, even if he lost the money, he could just boast to Yelu Guang about it.

And since it was silver he had taken from raiding a stronghold, it was like free money anyway.

Of course, it was also true that he was short on silver at the moment, but money could be earned again.

And so, when all the bets were collected by the bookmaker, the duel began in earnest.

Now that it was the main tournament, there were almost no empty seats in the audience.

Even in the VIP seats, which were empty during the preliminaries, quite a few renowned masters of the martial world were seated.

Judging by their attire, all the Four Divine Troupe Leaders, including the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader, were seated.

And in the most honorable seat sat the Great Master Gwangak, the symbol of the Martial Alliance and the abbot of the Shaolin Temple.

Namgung Hui, setting aside everything else, could not take his eyes off Gwangak.

It wasn't because he was the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader's biological father, nor was it because he was recorded as number one in the Martial World Ranking Record.

Presence.

No, would it be more accurate to say a sense of unease?

He sat there, exuding a heterogeneous presence all by himself, and the moment Namgung Hui saw him, his skin tingled and his hair stood on end.

'It feels like he alone is from a different world.'

The fact that no special ki was felt seemed to indicate that he was assimilated with his surroundings.

But looking at the profound light flowing from his eyes, he felt as if all his thoughts were being read and sucked into him.

He had never felt this way even when facing the demons or illusionary demons of the Demonic Cult.

'Yes. It's a similar feeling to when I first met my master.'

Did that mean there was that much of a difference in level with Gwangak?

It was difficult for Namgung Hui to accept.

Even if his master were to die and come back to life right now, he wouldn't feel that way.

To be honest, there was no need to even look for his master.

Even if he were to meet his sworn brother and the Heavenly Demon now, he wouldn't feel this way.

Then was the identity of this feeling the unique aura exuded by an enlightened high monk?

Well, there was no reason for Gwangak to show hostility towards him, so he decided to just let it go for now.

And so, the moment Namgung Hui was about to avert his gaze from Gwangak.

-Flash!

A light burst from Gwangak's eyes, and the world turned black.

No, the moment he felt that.

The world became bright again, and as if nothing had happened, Gwangak was looking at the dueling stage with a comfortable gaze.

As if his eyes had never even met Namgung Hui's.

'Was he testing me? Interesting.'

Namgung Hui engraved the vast and distant energy he had felt from him in his mind.

Vowing to return what he had received this time, someday.

And on the other hand, he inwardly reflected on his own arrogance.

He had thought that the current generation was extremely inferior compared to the masters of his past life, but that was a misconception.

The Great Master Gwangak was a person with skills comparable to the Three Martial Gods of his past life.

"Then! Let's begin the final match of the quarter-finals~~!!!"

When the announcer pointed to the Heavenly Dragon and Yelu Guang respectively, the two went up on the dueling stage side by side.

"It's the Heavenly Dragon! He's handsome even to a man's eyes!"

"Heavenly Dragon. I bet my entire fortune on you, so you have to win! If you don't, you're dead!"

As expected, the support for the Heavenly Dragon, Murong Junseong, was overwhelming.

Not to be outdone, Namgung Hui also shouted Yelu Guang's name, but it was buried in the loud cheers and couldn't be heard.

Still, only Yelu Guang seemed to have heard, as he gave Namgung Hui a faint smile and waved his hand.

'You brat. You have sharp ears. You have to win.'

"Then, I will count to three and begin the match. One. Two. Three! Begin!"

Even though the duel had begun, the Heavenly Dragon was relaxed from beginning to end.

His ki was also subtle, making him look like a loafer out for a walk in the marketplace.

"Young master. You said your name was Yelu Guang? How strange, it's the same as someone I know. But that guy isn't one to come out of his house."

"...Murong Junseong. Let's stop the jokes and just fight."

'What. They knew each other?'

Namgung Hui, who was eavesdropping on the conversation, couldn't help but be surprised to learn of their unexpected relationship.

But come to think of it, the Liaodong region where the Murong family was located and the homeland of the Liao Dynasty were the same, so it wasn't too strange that they knew each other.

It was just a little surprising that Yelu Guang, who was said to have grown up in the countryside, knew someone.

Murong Junseong looked at Yelu Guang with interest and continued.

"This fellow. You always showed a naive side, but you've changed a lot. Did something happen in the meantime?"

"Let's stop the small talk. The people are waiting."

"Haha. Right. We're not opponents to be having a leisurely conversation like this. Alright. I'll concede the first move."

"..."

Instead of answering, Yelu Guang took a ready stance and expressed his will.

There was no reason to refuse the offer of the first move.

Rather, his expression looked quite serious, as if he intended to change his arrogant attitude.

Yelu Guang revealed his ki at full power from the very beginning.

A powerful energy spread out, making the floor of the dueling stage tremble.

To be able to overturn the floor with just the ki emanating from a person's body.

The amount of his internal ki was by no means at the level of a young martial artist.

-Chwarararak!

The stone slabs covering the floor rippled and were sent flying.

Yelu Guang stepped on those stone slabs and moved forward.

And he threw a palm strike at Murong Junseong's smooth face.

-Taktaktak!

They skillfully exchanged a continuous series of unarmed blows.

As if they had fought before, their movements matched perfectly like a promised action.

"Your techniques have become more exquisite since I last saw you. Then, let's see you take my sword now."

The momentum of Murong Junseong, who had been quiet until now, began to be revealed.

A subtle and faint ki.

It was like seeing an assassin, but it was a slightly different, subtle feeling.

-Sagak!

In an instant, Yelu Guang's collar was cut, as if the sword had been extended at some point.

Yelu Guang showed a slight sign of panic at the faster-than-expected sword strike, but he soon regained his composure and launched a counterattack.

-Kangkang! Sagak! Peok!

Fists and swords rained down, sleeves were cut, and scratches increased.

In the midst of such an exchange, the dueling stage was gradually being stained with the blood shed by Yelu Guang.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

"It seems you haven't awakened your ultimate technique yet. But to have come out like this, something must have happened, right?"

"That's none of your business. Murong Junseong."

"Right. I don't need to know the internal affairs of the barbarians. Then, I'll finish this."

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

Murong Junseong approached Yelu Guang with a leisurely stride.

He calmly raised his ki, with his sword held long and low to the ground.

Namgung Hui felt a sense of déjà vu at Murong Junseong's ready stance.

And that feeling was soon resolved.

-Flash!

The trajectory of the sword swept past Yelu Guang.

The trajectory was drawn so quickly that it looked like nothing more than a streak of light passing by.

But there was someone who saw through that trajectory clearly.

'...This is the Sun-Shooting Sword Art!'

The last disciple of the Diancang Sect had said.

That some force among the Orthodox Faction had destroyed his sect and stolen the Sun-Shooting Sword Art.

That was why he had even applied the Thousand-Li Tracking Scent when the Flying Eagle Movement Technique was put up for auction at the Black Market, to track it down.

But unexpectedly, a person from the Murong family was using the Sun-Shooting Sword Art.

Did this person also learn it through the Black Market or some other transaction?

Namgung Hui thought that was definitely not the case.

Unlike the Flying Eagle Movement Technique, the Sun-Shooting Sword Art was the core martial art of the Diancang Sect.

It could be considered a peerless divine art, and the attacker would not have handed it over to another force.

In the first place, if that had been the purpose, they wouldn't have attacked the Diancang Sect.

'Murong family. So you were the culprits.'

By the time Namgung Hui had finished his deduction, the match was also over.

-Kuung!

As someone collapsed onto the dueling stage.

(End of Chapter)