Rebirth of the Thunder God

Namgung Hui stared at the Fist King, who had suddenly grabbed his wrist, and asked.

"Great Hero. What is the reason for this?"

"Originally, it is common for a fist user to check on their juniors' hands. In case they are living with an injury. Or to give advice in case they are sticking to a wrong training method."

Although Namgung Hui had forgotten because it was so long ago, he vaguely knew that such a tradition existed in the Central Plains.

Unlike sword arts, since fist arts were martial arts performed directly with the bare body, injuries were frequent.

And the meaning of the Fist King's words, 'to check on the hands,' also had another ambiguous meaning.

'If he didn't like his junior, it was also said that he would give them a good beating.'

When Namgung Hui had also come down from Mount Huang, there had been quite a few people who had treated the Thunder God as a country bumpkin and said they would give him a good beating.

Saying he had no manners.

Or that the ways of the martial world had fallen to the ground.

They had found fault with absurd things and had been sarcastic.

But in the end, it was the Thunder God who had given them a good beating.

They had not even been able to see the Thunder God's fast hands and had been severely beaten.

Among those people, the previous Fist King was also included.

'But now, the current Fist King is checking on my hands. Interesting.'

"But Great Hero. I don't think this is the main point."

"Hahaha! Yes. This is not the main point. It was to give you one piece of advice. Dugu Family Head. Do not take him lightly. Not just his individual martial power, but also his schemes and the forces he possesses are not to be taken lightly."

Namgung Hui also did not ignore the Dugu family.

Hadn't he actually gone to the Blood Cult and gotten a glimpse of their potential?

Moreover, Dugu Jin's martial power was a situation that even Namgung Hui had not fully grasped.

He didn't even know what his unique martial art was.

"Thank you very much for worrying about your junior so much. I will take it to heart."

"And although I am the one sending you, the situation in Qinghai Province seems to be more serious than I thought. I'm sorry for sending you to your death."

"May I hear a more detailed explanation?"

"Alright. I'll tell you what I know. I've already told you about the monster, so let's skip that. How much do you know about the bandits? If you're a ronin, you should know a fair amount."

Ronin and bandits could not have a good relationship.

Because it was common for ronin to be hired to fight against mountain bandits or bandits.

Even if mountain bandits were dealt with by hiring an escort agency or bodyguards.

Bandits usually hired ronin.

That was because it was easier for those without a base, like ronin, to roam the vast grasslands.

Since escort agencies or bodyguards operated with a family or a base, it was difficult for them to roam the vast grasslands or deserts, which were the territory of bandits.

Of course, escort agencies also sometimes encountered bandits when they crossed over to the west, but that was an extremely small portion of escort agencies, and since such escort agencies organized large-scale escort missions, it was difficult for even bandits to attack them easily.

If so, when crossing Qinghai Province, including the west, due to unavoidable circumstances, one had no choice but to hire a ronin.

Since a ronin could also turn into a robber if things went wrong, one would get an introduction to a person with a solid reputation from the ronin branch.

Although the silver would be a lot, it was unavoidable for the sake of one's life.

Namgung Hui was well aware of such bandits.

Hadn't he seen them countless times on the battlefield since his Thunder God era?

They, like wolves, would attack unconditionally if they were considered prey, regardless of whether they were from the orthodox faction, the unorthodox faction, or the demonic cult.

In the first place, since bandits were often not of the Han people, it was easier to think of them as a different species altogether.

'There were also many who were close to barbarians. And sometimes, there were even those who practiced cannibalism.'

But even if they were ferocious and had excellent mobility due to their horses.

They were no match for martial artists who had learned martial arts.

That was why the bandits who had been rampant in the early stages were quickly annihilated.

Especially the Black Wind Unit, which had a history of being defeated by them once, had not just slaughtered the bandits, but had wiped them out, as if to find their tarnished honor.

"Aren't they a savage tribe that handles horses and bows very well? Besides, since there are many minority tribes, I know they have very different customs from the Central Plains. And sometimes, there are even those who practice cannibalism."

"Seeing as you even know about the custom of cannibalism, a simple explanation should suffice. Yes. They are cruel and senseless fellows. They have no concept of prisoners, only prey and game. But it came to my information network that those fellows have been rampant since a while ago."

"Did they unify the tribes or something?"

"That could be. But the information I obtained is that those fellows suddenly obtained a supreme martial art from somewhere."

"!?"

Namgung Hui wondered if the bandits had perhaps learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, but he soon shook his head.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was a supreme art of the highest level, so much so that the word 'divine art' was by no means lacking.

That meant that the entry itself was extremely difficult, and unless one's aptitude was supported, one would not even be allowed to enter.

"It seems they learned it from the people they captured as prisoners."

"They could have obtained a great fortune, or as you say, they could have stolen it and learned it. That's why I'm sending you to confirm. Since there is a leaked martial art of the Central Plains, it is right to recover it, and if they have obtained a great fortune..."

The Fist King, who had paused for a moment, spoke with his eyes shining.

"We must take it back. Because even that great fortune was originally from the Central Plains."

"But what will you do if I steal that martial art?"

"Then I'll have to think that my eye for people was wrong. And I am not ignorant of what you want. When you return safely, let's have a deep conversation about this."

The Fist King, like a serpent.

He did not pinpoint what Namgung Hui wanted.

Perhaps the topic of that conversation would change depending on the result that Namgung Hui brought back.

'Well, as for the Dugu Family Head, that's a part I can punish myself. I'm just enduring it for now because the time is not yet right.'

Rather, it seemed like a good thing to wait and see how the Fist King would come out.

Depending on what inner thoughts he had, they would either become allies.

Or, like the Hoicheon Association, they would be decided as enemies.

"Alright. Then I will recover the supreme divine art that the bandits have learned and return."

"Yes. Even if they have learned a demonic art, you must recover it. You must not destroy it."

"I will keep that in mind as well. Then may I also ask for just one thing?"

"A request. Since I've already asked for a favor, there's nothing I can't grant. Go ahead and say it."

Namgung Hui paused for a moment and then opened his mouth.

"Please give me just one Heavenly King Pill."

"A Heavenly King Pill. Where did you hear that?"

The Fist King, as if quite surprised, twitched his thick eyebrows and sat up straight.

"I have nothing to say other than that I just overheard it. So you can't give it to me?"

"Let's see... I only have one left right now."

"Well, if you can't give it to me, I'll be on my way. In case the mission fails because of that Heavenly King Pill..."

"I said I only have one left. I didn't say I couldn't give it. Here, take it."

The Fist King took out a wooden box from his bosom and tossed it to Namgung Hui.

The weight was different from the wooden boxes that stored other spirit medicines.

As if to represent the Hwangbo family.

"Seeing as you know of the existence of the Heavenly King Pill, you must also know well that its value is not ordinary. Just know that I've really done you a great favor."

The Heavenly King Pill.

A spirit medicine that could be called the secret of the Hwangbo family.

Although the fact that their bodies were strong was partly innate, the assistance of such a spirit medicine also played a considerable role.

While ordinary spirit medicines focused on increasing internal energy, the Hwangbo family's Heavenly King Pill focused on making the body strong.

That was why it belonged to the rather precious spirit medicines, and the manufacturing method for this was unknown except to the Hwangbo family.

In a way, in terms of rarity, it could be seen as not inferior to the Small Reversion Pill.

In fact, Namgung Hui's thought was that even its effectiveness would be comparable to the Small Reversion Pill.

"I will use it well."

"Ahem. Yes. Since it's a really precious thing, use it well. Then, is that the end of your requests?"

"Yes. Since I have some shame, this is enough. Then, does the Great Hero have anything to say?"

"I have nothing to say other than to be careful. Have a safe trip."

The Fist King's thick palm patted Namgung Hui's shoulder several times, so much so that dust flew.

As if to let him know the weight of the Heavenly King Pill.

"Then I will see you later."

And so, after finishing his farewell, he left the guest hall and immediately set out on his way.

Although he wanted to have a private talk with On Yuha for a moment, since watchful eyes were pouring in from all over, it seemed it would be difficult.

'They've cleared out the outside people to some extent. From the bodyguards to the Fist King's people, quite a few have entered.'

Just by looking, there were some who had the appearance of 'I am a person of the Hwangbo family.'

In the first place, it was strange for a person who was a fortress lord to be alone.

This was probably an intentional part.

Even more so if it were a person whose inner thoughts could not be read, like the Fist King.

'It must be to show friendliness to people on purpose. To show that they are different from the hypocrites of the orthodox faction.'

His clothes were also not splendid, but simple.

Rather, they were worn out here and there, as if torn while training.

It must be to avoid looking like a person of power.

"Brother. Are you planning to leave for Qinghai Province right away? Is there nothing to prepare?"

"We just need to get enough food and water. The rest is all in here."

"What's so much in just one travel pouch? Wait, I feel the energy of a formation. Have you set up some kind of device?"

Namgung Hui had been taught a little of the essence of formations by the senior brother of the Hao Faction before.

It was a formation related to space, and just as he had condensed the space of the training ground, he could fold a certain radius of space and reduce its volume.

"Yes. I've set up a formation to reduce the volume. Well, it's not like I can put a lot of luggage in it, but it's enough to store the necessary items for the journey."

"Amazing. To think there's such a formation. They say there's a kind of Daoist art that immortals perform, right? The art of shrinking the earth must be in that context."

"I heard that the military packs used by the soldiers in the east also contain a lot of things. Well, mine needs to be repaired from time to time and probably won't last long. Then, since we're all prepared, let's set off."

And so, the interior of the Iron Blood Fortress, which Namgung Hui and Jang Hwang had left, was soon bustling with people, filling their disappeared presence in every corner.

* * *

Qinghai Province.

Blue, sea.

Qinghai Province, as its name suggests, is reminiscent of a blue sea.

That was because there was a large lake that was truly reminiscent of the sea, and well, as most would guess, the name Qinghai Province was attached because there was the largest lake in the Central Plains, Qinghai Lake.

That was how much the scenery of Qinghai Lake, along with the vast land, made one's heart feel grand.

Just by breathing in, it felt as if one's lungs were being cleared out.

It seemed it wasn't for nothing that Qinghai Province was full of Ki.

"Indeed, Qinghai Province is the widest area in the Central Plains. Look at this vast grassland. It might be harder to find a silver coin in this grassland than to find a needle in a desert."

Namgung Hui also nodded his head at Jang Hwang's admiration.

Although he had been to Qinghai Province in his past life, in this life, it looked particularly vast.

"But it might be harder than I thought to meet a specific group of bandits in a place like this."

"That's true too. In such a vast area, there won't be just one or two groups of bandits. When are we going to catch them and even take their martial arts? How about we just pretend to look for them?"

"I'd like to do that too, but seeing as the Fist King went that far, it must not be an ordinary martial art, right?"

"That's true too, but if it's not to the extent that his subordinates or he himself would move, I don't think it's a great supreme divine art."

"Well, there's a high probability that it's not a supreme divine art of the orthodox faction. Since the bandits have become strong in a short period, it wouldn't be the martial arts of the orthodox faction, which are of the late-blooming type. If so, it's probably a demonic art, and if it's to the extent that the Fist King is concerned, it must be a dangerous martial art. It wouldn't be good for this to leak out any further."

If the bandits were to influence the west, even the forces of the west, which were staying put, might covet the Central Plains.

Right now, wasn't the source of the Esoteric Sect's Great Hand Seal that Namgung Hui was learning, Tianzhu?

Even if they were not of a belligerent nature, if they had a justification, it was not impossible for them to invade the Central Plains.

'If it's the Potala Palace, it's sufficiently possible. Besides, the Great Leiyin Temple and the Small Leiyin Temple are also forces that cannot be ignored.'

"Anyway. I don't plan to search diligently either, but will do it moderately. Because there's something I have to find first."

First was the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Second was also the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

And third was also the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Now, the fourth would be the disposal of the demonic art or the monster that the Fist King had requested, and it seemed that one of those two would be resolved on the way to the Kunlun Mountains.

"So you received a Heavenly King Pill or something as a down payment? You're quite resourceful. Brother."

"Don't mention it. This Heavenly King Pill probably also contains an unspoken request to take good care of things in the future. To turn a blind eye to the fact that he doesn't know the identity of the Dugu Family Head. A request of that level."

"Really. What is that justification? My head hurts. Ah! That's right. I secretly eavesdropped on the conversation between the Poison King and the Fist King at the guest hall earlier. Would you like to hear it too?"

"Oh! If you tell me, I will listen attentively."

"Alright. The Fist King first said something..."

And so, the moment Jang Hwang was about to continue.

-Thump, thump, thump! Thump, thump, thump!

The earth shook, and birds flew up into the sky with a flutter.

(End of Chapter)