Rebirth of the Thunder God

-Peoeoong!!!

At the intense explosion, Namgung Hui quickly moved his body back and looked at the epicenter of the roar.

There, colorful and vibrant fireworks were falling from the sky.

Namgung Hui raised his hand to block the flames, but.

"Wow~~!! Fireworks! They're even more beautiful than at the last martial arts tournament. The Jegal family must have made an improved version."

At the spectator's words, Namgung Hui lowered his raised arm and vaguely recalled a story Jegal Geon had once told him.

'Hui. This is a firework made by our family. The flames it embroiders in the sky are absolutely amazing. I wish you would get up from your sickbed soon and see it with me.'

The reality was that even such fireworks were hard to see because the government office thoroughly managed gunpowder.

So it wasn't strange for some to think, like Namgung Hui, that a thunderclap bomb had gone off when they heard such an explosion.

Even now, some spectators were standing up from their seats and fidgeting, just as Namgung Hui had been surprised.

Still, the majority of the audience, having seen fireworks before, were looking up at the waterfall of flames with smiles on their faces.

Namgung Hui also regained his composure and watched the brilliant feast of flames.

It was certainly beautiful.

As if a world of stars had unfolded.

At the same time, Namgung Hui felt distant from the current martial world.

Because the peaceful era was coming to an end.

Because the sky that would arrive after those brilliant flames disappeared would by no means be beautiful or at a level that could be appreciated.

'Well, it's not like the Blood Cult or the Hoicheon Association have started a bloodbath right now, so I should let them enjoy this moment.'

But Namgung Hui alone could not enjoy the present.

Even though he had won the martial arts tournament and would be given the Small Rejuvenation Pill as a prize, he currently had no peace of mind.

With various idle thoughts, he fully stepped up to the front of the podium.

The award ceremony was being conducted by the Great Master Gwangak, the Shaolin Divine Monk and the leader representing the Martial Alliance, who stood opposite Namgung Hui with a leisurely stride.

Namgung Hui recalled the time he had met his eyes before.

And naturally, the muscles all over his body tensed, and a sense of vigilance arose.

'If Muwon felt like looking at a solid Buddha statue, then Great Master Gwangak feels like looking into the unfathomable North Sea. He's truly a monster.'

If Great Master Gwangak had appeared during the Thunder God era, he would have surely been among the Three Martial Gods.

The amount of his unfathomable internal ki was at least a level above the Sword God.

On top of that, the ultimate techniques of the Shaolin Temple were undoubtedly divine arts, so if he had fought against the fist artist Thunder God, it would have been a good match.

Namgung Hui, his fighting spirit stirred, clenched his fists tightly and stared at Gwangak.

"Hoho. It's embarrassing to be stared at so openly by this old man."

Only then did Namgung Hui realize his mistake and hurriedly cupped his fist and said.

"The junior martial artist Namgung Hui greets the Alliance Leader."

"Yes. I watched your duel very well. Indeed, the title of Hidden Dragon is not lacking at all. Rather, the word Hidden Dragon might be insufficient. Since you have long since awakened from your slumber."

In fact, the term Hidden Dragon (潛龍) was a pun referring to the fact that Namgung Hui had been bedridden for ten years.

It wasn't that Great Master Gwangak had said it without knowing.

It was probably to say that Namgung Hui's current realm could no longer be placed in the ranks of young martial artists.

Namgung Hui felt as if he had already shown everything to Great Master Gwangak, so he couldn't just let his words slide.

'His insight is also outstanding. As expected, a monster raises a monster. I can't help but know at a glance who taught Muwon.'

The Divine Dragon Muwon, like a walking secret vault of the Shaolin Temple.

He had learned countless divine arts and ultimate techniques that were difficult to master even one of.

And not just a superficial understanding, but a realm where he had tasted the essence of the martial arts.

The Hundred-Step Divine Fist and the Tathagata Divine Palm, of course.

His internal ki cultivation method, the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic, and his movement techniques, the Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform and the Vajra Unmoving Body Technique, were also top-notch.

It was a situation where it wouldn't be strange at all if he had learned many more martial arts besides these five divine arts and ultimate techniques.

When Muwon grew in the future, he would probably have a similar feeling to the Great Master Gwangak before him.

"You praise me too much. The title of Hidden Dragon alone is more than I deserve. I am still lacking in many ways to bear the name of a dragon."

It seemed like Namgung Hui was just saying empty words, but his heart was sincere.

In the first place, the word 'dragon', unlike for some, was a word like the founder of the Thunder Sect to him.

To become such an existence, there were still so many things he had not achieved.

At the very least, he would have to reach the realm of the Martial God for the title of dragon not to feel lacking.

But Great Master Gwangak, who did not know his inner thoughts, burst into a hearty laugh and patted Namgung Hui's shoulder.

"Hoho. And humble too. It's been a long time since a talent has appeared. There is no lack in giving you this Small Rejuvenation Pill. Here. Take it."

The abbot of the Shaolin Temple and the current Martial Alliance Leader, Great Master Gwangak, willingly gave the Small Rejuvenation Pill to Namgung Hui.

The Small Rejuvenation Pill, one of the goals Namgung Hui had for participating in the martial arts tournament.

It was somewhat lacking compared to the special-grade spirit medicine, the Great Rejuvenation Pill, but the Small Rejuvenation Pill itself was by no means lacking as a top-grade spirit medicine.

In fact, the Great Rejuvenation Pill was a spirit medicine on a different level, so the performance of the Small Rejuvenation Pill was so outstanding that the character 'small' (小) in its name was unfitting.

'If a cripple ate it, they would stand up from their seat. If an elderly person ate it, their lifespan would increase by ten years.'

Not only was it highly effective for ordinary people, but if a martial artist ate it, it would increase their internal ki by one sixty-year cycle and even strengthen their bones and muscles.

In terms of effect alone, it was at a level that could be compared to the Mount Hua Sect's Purple Mist Pill.

As Namgung Hui stored the Small Rejuvenation Pill in his robes, Great Master Gwangak nodded and continued.

"The 6th Martial Arts Tournament is the victory of the Hidden Dragon, Namgung Hui! Let us all greet him with applause and loud cheers!"

As a roar like a lion's roar came out of Great Master Gwangak's mouth, the audience, without realizing it, began to send applause and cheers to Namgung Hui.

"Waa!!! Hidden Dragon! He's as handsome as his title!"

"Brother! You're so cool! If you don't have a lover, will you go out with me?"

"Even as a man, I might fall for him. I don't know about his martial arts, but his face is the real deal. Shouldn't he be called the Jade Dragon (玉龍) instead of the Hidden Dragon?"

"The Jade Qilin (玉麒麟) is better than the Jade Dragon. What does it matter if he has two titles? You just call him by the title you want to call him. I'll call him the Jade Qilin from now on."

Another spectator, as if agreeing with his words, nodded and repeated the words 'Jade Qilin.'

However, Namgung Hui, who didn't seem to want to hear the words 'Jade Qilin,' shook his head and came down from the podium.

Then, as if waiting, Namgung Hui's father, Namgung Uncheon, approached and offered his congratulations.

"Hui. I'm so proud that you're my son. Thanks to you, it won't be impossible to restore the fame of our Namgung family. This father will be very busy from now on. Matchmakers are already being sent from various families, including the Five Great Families."

Namgung Hui responded with a deep smile.

"To think that matchmakers are already coming and going. Hahaha! This must be why people have to succeed. So where are they from?"

"They're from all the other Five Great Families and a few small and medium-sized families. Since you won today, countless more will come in the future."

"Ahem."

As Namgung Hui and Namgung Uncheon were talking, the Moon Maiden Palace Lady, Yu Seolran, who had approached at some point, subtly joined the conversation.

"It seems you don't even see me. You're not getting arrogant already, are you?"

"Palace Lady, you've come too. Even if I become one of the ten great masters, that will never happen. But isn't it time for the women's division matches now? Is it alright if you don't watch Seolhwa's match?"

Namgung Hui judged that, given Beak Seolhwa's personality, she might be slightly sulky with the Moon Maiden Palace Lady.

But the Moon Maiden Palace Lady, as if it were really alright, let out a small laugh and said.

"That's fine. Seolhwa will win anyway, so it doesn't matter if I don't watch, does it?"

Although Namgung Hui fully agreed with her words, he felt something was amiss.

'Why is she always with my father? Have they become close in the meantime...?'

Namgung Hui felt that the distance between the two was unusually close.

Of course, it wasn't a bad thing for martial artists to be close, regardless of gender.

In the first place, weren't Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa also on familiar terms?

However, Namgung Hui felt slightly uncomfortable with the distance between the two, so he cut in between them and said.

"Alright, alright. Since I've won today and even got a prize, I'll treat you all. I know a delicious inn nearby, so let's go there right away."

And so, the Namgung family head and the Moon Maiden Palace Lady were led away by Namgung Hui's hand and disappeared somewhere.

But there was someone watching the three of them from behind.

"It's a good time. Let's see how long that appearance lasts."

* * *

The men's division matches ended with Namgung Hui's victory, and only the women's division finals remained.

In fact, people's interest was more focused on the men's division matches than the women's.

After all, the mainstream of the martial world was men rather than women.

And the distribution of masters was also overwhelmingly male.

But that didn't mean there were no masters in the women's division.

Just the Five Phoenixes alone were all outstanding masters, that could not be denied.

Poison Phoenix, Tang Soso of the Sichuan Tang family

Sword Phoenix, Jeonghyeon of the Emei Sect

White Phoenix, Beak Seolhwa of the Moon Maiden Palace

Heavenly Phoenix, Murong Soran of the Murong family

Western Phoenix, Ju Hwayeong of the Mount Hua Sect

Namgung Hui already knew three of them, and indeed, not only Jeonghyeon of the Emei Sect but also Tang Soso were by no means at a level to be ignored.

In the first place, Tang Soso was a person who was stronger in real combat than in a duel like this.

And the female warriors of the Emei Sect and the Moon Maiden Palace, who were competing for the title of the number one woman in the world, were beyond question.

On top of that, Namgung Hui was also curious about Murong Soran and Ju Hwayeong, whom he had not yet seen.

More than anything, the person who was set to face Beak Seolhwa in the finals was Ju Hwayeong of the Mount Hua Sect.

'Most of the Mount Hua Sect disciples have returned to the main sect. Those who did not respond to the summons were all treated as spies. To have remained despite that must mean she is a person with a clear identity.'

Moreover, the fact that she had defeated even Jeonghyeon and Tang Soso to advance to the finals was enough to raise expectations.

"Who do you think will win between the Western Phoenix and the White Phoenix?"

"Well... It wouldn't be strange for either of them to win, but wouldn't the more experienced Western Phoenix win? The duels she has had so far are something that even the renowned masters of the martial world would shake their heads at."

"That's true. You can't ignore experience. On top of that, she seems to have gotten even stronger than before, as if she had a fortuitous encounter this time."

"It's not a fortuitous encounter, I heard she recovered a lost martial art from her sect. That's probably the effect."

At the spectator's words, Namgung Hui realized that it was not unrelated to him.

A lost martial art from the Mount Hua Sect.

It was probably referring to the Purple Mist Divine Art.

And if that was passed on to the Western Phoenix and brought about an improvement in her martial arts, then it was probably.

'It must be because of the annotations I wrote for the Ten-Thousand-Li Purple Mist. I also benefited quite a bit from it, so it doesn't matter. But I feel a little sorry for Seolhwa.'

But even with the great completion of the Purple Mist Divine Art, Namgung Hui still favored Beak Seolhwa to win.

Unless she had also consumed the Purple Mist Pill.

Since Namgung Hui had already gobbled that up, it was practically impossible for the Western Phoenix to surpass Beak Seolhwa.

Experience? That too, Beak Seolhwa, a master of age reversal, had the upper hand.

Besides that, there were too many other areas where Beak Seolhwa would be ahead.

Namgung Hui moved his steps to a less crowded place in the packed audience seats.

Since he had the telescopic vision technique, the distance was no obstacle.

As soon as Namgung Hui sat down, Beak Seolhwa and Ju Hwayeong faced each other on the dueling stage.

And the audience, admiring their beauty, each added a word.

"The name White Phoenix really suits her. If you were to carve a person out of jade, they would probably look like that."

"I thought the number one beauty in the martial world would be the Western Phoenix, the Heavenly Phoenix, or Baekhwa, but even those three are no match for the White Phoenix."

"But martial arts is another matter. On top of that, I heard the Western Phoenix recently ate a great spirit medicine."

"Indeed. If you consider her true identity, that would be only natural. After all..."

At the spectator's following words, Namgung Hui couldn't help but be surprised.

"She is a princess of the imperial family."

(End of Chapter)