Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Will you have a duel with me just once?"

Namgung Hui, at Hae Wicheong's proposal, half-closed his eyes and asked.

"A duel? Are you perhaps curious about the skills of the martial arts tournament winner?"

"No. You said it yourself earlier. That our Faction Leader's martial power is somewhat weak, so he can't do anything about the Heretic Alliance Lord. I agree to some extent. So I entrusted the information power to the second one and devoted myself to martial arts. The second one might suspect that I'm an outsider, but in reality, that's not the case."

"I roughly understand the situation. But you're asking me for a duel when I'm hiding my identity? I won't even be able to show my main strength."

Namgung Hui's true strength came from the Purple Thunder Divine Art.

Since the Purple Thunder Divine Art handled a special energy called thunder ki, it would surely generate loud noises and brilliant flashes of lightning.

And it wasn't as if he wanted a simple duel without using his signature ultimate techniques.

For the advancement of martial arts, it was inevitable that it would get a little rough.

Hadn't the duel between Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa alone devastated a whole wild mountain?

"I knew you'd say that, so I've prepared a training ground. A training ground where no sound or light will leak out."

"Oho. The Hao Faction had something like that?"

"Who is our Faction Leader? He is a master of formations. As his first disciple, it's a field I naturally know how to handle."

"If it's a formation, it would be possible to create such a space. Then a duel as a post-meal exercise would be fine. We don't have time, so let's move right away."

"Alright. Then let's go quickly. Follow me."

Hae Wicheong, despite being on the third floor, opened the window and lightly jumped down.

A light movement without any hesitation.

A movement technique even more outstanding than that of his junior brother, Dam Gihae.

It was a passage where one could easily grasp the fact that he had truly devoted himself to martial arts.

And so, the place Namgung Hui arrived at following Hae Wicheong was a small clearing behind the inn, but because it was covered by a formation, there was nothing that looked like a training ground.

"I thought you'd have a disappointed expression, but you're expressionless."

"Well, I heard the explanation, so I thought you'd have set up a concealment formation. So when are you going to show me the training ground?"

"You're a very impatient junior brother."

"It's not that I'm impatient, it's that I really don't have time. Then, the duel will be for the next opportunity..."

-Sasasak.

Before Namgung Hui could finish his words, the small clearing transformed into a vast land, and the appearance of a wide training ground was revealed.

Had the space itself been compressed?

How could that small clearing that seemed so narrow become so wide?

'The mysteries of formations are endless. To think there are still parts I don't know.'

To face the Hoicheon Association in the future, he could not be negligent about formations.

Hadn't the formation spread out at the Black Market also been extremely difficult to understand?

If it was the General's skill, it wouldn't be strange even if he had mastered formations.

"First Senior Brother. Can I ask you about formations later?"

"By all means. But I will also ask you about martial arts."

"If it's that kind of deal, I welcome it with open arms. Then I'll give you a lesson right now."

Namgung Hui really did open his arms and struck the empty air, shooting out a Separated-Air Palm.

Although he didn't use it often because it consumed a great deal of internal energy, its power was certain.

-Pang!

A Separated-Air Palm executed without any preparatory motion.

A palm wind containing a fierce energy along with stealth flew towards Hae Wicheong's brow.

Hae Wicheong, without being flustered by Namgung Hui's sudden surprise attack, calmly executed a movement technique.

'That's not the movement technique of the Empty Gate Sect. It's an unfamiliar movement technique.'

Although Namgung Hui didn't know all the martial arts in the world, he had seen countless martial arts through the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, so he was well-versed in not only the Buddhist and Daoist gates but even the Daoist arts used by immortals.

Even with Namgung Hui's knowledge, the martial art that Hae Wicheong was currently performing had a somewhat unfamiliar trajectory.

Namgung Hui, with an interested gaze, once again threw a Separated-Air Palm.

-Paang!

A magnificent internal energy rang through the air and spread out like a wave.

Because such a powerful energy was poured out, he even had the illusion that the space itself was shimmering for a moment.

"Hup!"

At the more powerful force than before, Hae Wicheong was flustered and even executed a Form-Shifting and Position-Switching technique to deflect the palm force.

Hae Wicheong did not just stop at evasion.

As if he had never been flustered, this time he even narrowed the distance and thrust his fist at Namgung Hui.

-Taktaktak!

A disciplined shower of fists alternately aimed at Namgung Hui's face and torso.

An unconventional and un-standardized movement.

It felt as if he had brought the wild as it was and was unfolding it.

But that didn't mean it wasn't efficient. Rather, it was a refined energy.

'It feels like he's imitating the form of an animal.'

Originally, many martial arts were created by modeling the appearance of wild animals.

Hadn't even the martial art called the Shaolin Five Fists been a motion that imitated five kinds of animals?

However, the martial art that Hae Wicheong was performing was closer to that of the Unorthodox Faction, which was more practical than the orthodox ones like the Shaolin Temple.

A movement that pursued extreme practical benefits.

Appearance and such were not necessary.

Even now, he threw a kick aiming at Namgung Hui's vital points with a somewhat ridiculous posture.

-Hwikhwikhwik!

A roundhouse kick.

An axe kick.

He stretched out his leg as if sliding on the floor.

Namgung Hui, seeing Hae Wicheong's nimble movements, drew a curve on his eyes and nodded.

The sense of distance was certainly very outstanding.

The way he struck the opponent's weakness through unconventional movements was also great.

But.

-Hwicheonghwicheong. Peok!

"Keuk...!"

His sense of balance was lacking.

A kick is not just performed with the foot.

Depending on how one uses the center of gravity, the power is worlds apart.

On top of that, if internal energy was added, even the balance of breathing would determine the power of the technique.

Watching Hae Wicheong's appearance, he intuited that he had learned martial arts on his own.

'So that's why he asked me for a lesson. But he knew well that I was a master of fist and palm techniques.'

Namgung Hui, as if he had met a junior fist master for the first time in a while, willingly decided to give Hae Wicheong a lesson.

Thunder Severing Kick.

Thunder Strike Fist.

From the Thunder Flash Finger to the Explosive Thunder Palm and the Thunder Dragon Palm.

He demonstrated them all in front of Hae Wicheong.

Heaven and earth were overturned.

And a thunderbolt fell from a clear sky.

Urureung! Kwagwagwagwang!

A deafening roar that could even twist the axis of the formation shook the earth.

As if that wasn't enough, the floor of the training ground heaved, making it difficult to even balance oneself.

Hae Wicheong, at the sight of the brilliant flash that Namgung Hui was unfolding, was mesmerized and his eyes widened.

It was as if his eyes had been opened to a new world of martial arts.

Then, Namgung Hui said to Hae Wicheong.

"Even when the ground shakes like this, you shouldn't lose your balance. You always have to balance yourself one breath faster and prepare. It will be difficult at first, but if you practice with about half a breath, you'll be able to grasp it soon. You seem to have a talent for it, after all."

It was ambiguous to call it martial talent, and it would be more appropriate to call it a sense.

Just as a beast instinctively bites at a vital point, he attacked the opponent's most fatal area.

'If he had met a proper master, he would be stronger than most of the Seven Dragons.'

The Hae Wicheong in front of him felt stronger than the Mad Dragon he had met a little while ago.

Well, even among the Seven Dragons, they all had one or two signature ultimate techniques hidden, but wouldn't it be the same for Hae Wicheong?

"I think we've both realized the gap between us by now, so can I give you some advice?"

"Didn't you just give me advice? Let's hear some more of that fine advice."

After that, Namgung Hui pointed out everything from the minor postures and how to make a fist, to the angle of the thrust, and re-established his basics.

In fact, since there was nothing as important as the basics, Namgung Hui did his best to guide him.

A moment later, Namgung Hui nodded with a satisfied smile.

"With this much, you won't hear that your basics are lacking anywhere you go. By the way, First Senior Brother. The martial art you performed until just now. You learned it on your own, right?"

Hae Wicheong, who had been clenching and unclenching his fists for a while, raised his head at Namgung Hui's words and said.

"On my own... In fact, this martial art has probably never been shown to the world. Because it's a martial art we created."

"We? Are you talking about the Anti-Heaven Alliance?"

"No. Didn't I say there are more talented people in the Hao Faction than you think? There are quite a few scholars who haven't been able to blossom their talents."

"Oho. Indeed, if it's the Hao Faction, it wouldn't be strange for them to create such a practical martial art. The Hao Faction wouldn't care about face. If I have time next time, I'll personally guide you again. At that time, it won't end as simply as this."

Perhaps if they were to fight as if it were a real battle, they would surely see blood.

It was a natural thing, but that blood would be shed by Hae Wicheong.

Hae Wicheong, with a rather polite posture, cupped his fist and said.

"Thank you. Junior brother. Although you are just a nominal lay disciple, thank you again for calling me First Senior Brother and giving me such valuable teachings."

"Don't mention it. I'll also learn formations and use the information network of the Hao Faction, so don't feel burdened. It wasn't bad to see an interesting martial art for the first time in a while. Then, since a considerable amount of time has passed, let's go back."

"I'll stay here for a while and organize my enlightenment. I've gained a lot from seeing the martial art that junior brother showed me."

'Indeed, is the martial art of the Thunder Sect an ordinary thing? It might be natural to have one's eyes opened just by seeing it.'

"Alright. See you next time."

As Namgung Hui turned to leave, Hae Wicheong took out a scroll from his robes, threw it to Namgung Hui, and said.

"Take this before you go. Let's just say it's my small gift."

Namgung Hui stored the scroll, waved his hand, and left the training ground.

Hae Wicheong, who had been watching him with a faint smile, contorted his face as soon as Namgung Hui disappeared.

'Ugh...! I was just grazed, but three of my ribs are broken. On top of that, even though I was the one who hit him, two of my fingers are also broken. Is this the underlying strength of the Hidden Dragon? As expected, I did well to strike first even if it was a bit of a stretch.'

Hae Wicheong closed his eyes and immediately sat in a cross-legged position.

Now was the time to organize the insights that were stirring in his head.

* * *

"Where have you been in such a hurry?"

At Beak Seolhwa's question, Namgung Hui raised his fist and said.

"I just had a round with that guy called the First Senior Brother. Why? Are you also itching for a fight?"

"Now that you mention it, I think I am itching. If I ask you to scratch it, will you scratch it?"

"If I have time, what can't I do? When we have time soon, let's have a round too."

"Alright. No take-backs then."

Hwang Sujin, who was watching the two of them, continued with a curious expression.

"Anyone would think you're not arranging a duel but a sweet outing between lovers. Martial artists are really crazy about fighting."

"I think a merchant's obsession with money and a martial artist's obsession with martial arts are in a similar context. Then, Miss Hwang, Miss Seong. My business is over now, shall we leave?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, I ate well. For the first time in a long time."

"For the first time in a long time? The food we ate on our journey so far was all delicious."

"Ah. I meant it's been a long time since I've been treated. Since I'm always the one paying..."

Namgung Hui patted the shoulder of the momentarily gloomy Hwang Sujin and continued.

"If you keep giving like that, there will be a day when it comes back to you. For now, I'm thinking of saving Miss Hwang at least once. It's difficult to hire a master like me just by buying a few meals."

"It's like a guest staying at a family estate. But you have to speak correctly. Did I only buy a few times? If you calculate the lodging, phew... So save me two more times in the future. Okay?"

At Hwang Sujin's bright expression, Namgung Hui couldn't refuse.

"Even if I only save you once, since my friend is here, I can save you at least twice. Right? Okwol?"

"Yes. I have to pay for my meals. By the way, if you're not planning to have your next meal at this inn, shall we stop the idle talk?"

"Oh my. Miss Seol. Anyone would think that this young lady and I were the ones talking the most. In fact, you two are the ones who talk the most. Anyone would think you're dating. By any chance... you're not into that, are you?"

"Ahem! I think I might get indigestion at this rate. Let's leave quickly."

After finishing his words, Namgung Hui hurriedly got on the carriage.

And Beak Seolhwa also naturally followed Namgung Hui and got on the carriage.

Hwang Sujin, who was watching the two of them intently, shook her head and shouted.

"Let's go together!"

And so, as all three of them disappeared, Muchi, who had been standing blankly behind, extended his hand to Seong Sohui and said.

"Saintess. I will serve you."

"It's alright. Mu... no, Mr. Chunsam."

"What did you just say?"

"No, it's nothing. I just bit my tongue for a moment. We'll be late. Let's get on the carriage quickly too."

As Seong Sohui also quickly got on the carriage, Muchi tilted his head and then got on the carriage with them and left the inn.

The wheel tracks were particularly clear on the road where the carriage had passed.