Rebirth of the Thunder God

Kureureung!

Suddenly, the earth's axis twisted, and the already precarious building collapsed with a thud.

Now, the village was in a state of destruction, so much so that it could no longer be called a village.

Namgung Hui, without even a moment to appreciate it, flew towards the abandoned shrine.

Of course, he did not forget to carry the bandit dangling from him.

"Hey. Who is the envoy you were talking about earlier?"

"Hmph! Even if I told a bastard like you, you wouldn't know... No! Why do you have the envoy's plaque?"

As expected, the envoy they were talking about seemed to be referring to the envoy of the Hoicheon Association.

Since the envoy of the Hoicheon Association was sure to be a carefully selected person, he could not be careless even if Mungchi was holding out.

'Besides, the presence I feel is not just one. The one called the envoy has a companion.'

"Let's have another talk with you later. You seem to know a few things, so it should be fun to torture you."

"Haha! Do you think I'll open my mouth to the torture of a mere tiger-like bastard? Ten million... Keuak!!!"

Namgung Hui gave him a taste of the Bone and Tendon Separation for a moment.

Although it was only for a short play, the bandit's appearance was already a mess.

He was covered in a cold sweat, and his limbs were trembling slightly.

"Yes. Let's see how long you can endure. For now, just wait there quietly."

Namgung Hui pressed his vital points this time and thoroughly checked him.

Since the bandit was a martial artist, he would not be able to release Namgung Hui's vital point pressing.

Although it was a little regrettable that he could not capture the onmyoji alive, it was a relief that he could finish him off.

The sorceries that he had not shown until he died must have been more than dozens.

Because he had taken Namgung Hui lightly, he had easily lost his life.

And so, Namgung Hui ran in one breath and arrived at the abandoned shrine.

As expected, the abandoned shrine had also turned into ruins, and it was difficult to even find its remains.

Perhaps because they had already moved, no presence was felt around the abandoned shrine.

Namgung Hui laid the bandit down in a corner of the abandoned shrine and spread his electric net wide.

'They've moved to that mountain. It seems they moved the battlefield because they thought it would cause damage to the village.'

If they still had this much leisure, it seemed that a great danger had not yet befallen them.

Still, since he could not guarantee how the tide of battle would turn, Namgung Hui quickly flew to the mountainside where the presence was detected.

As he performed the Wind God Steps, objects flew past in an instant, and he soon arrived at the center of the mountain.

Now, the faces of the enemies were clearly visible to the naked eye.

Although their attire was different, it was an appearance that definitely did not look like a bandit group.

Some were dressed in scholar's robes, and some were wearing armor that seemed to belong to a military unit.

'As expected, they're the guys from the Hoicheon Association. With that kind of attire, they must be the guys from the Imperial Heaven.'

However, what was a little strange was why they had come all the way from Beijing to this remote Qinghai Province to aim for the six-tailed fox.

The six-tailed fox's inner core would not be exceptionally outstanding compared to the spirit medicines in the Imperial Palace's secret repository.

It seemed that the fox bead they had mentioned had a special effect.

If so, he could not hand it over to them.

"To think you're so confident, you're having quite a hard time with the fox hunt. Adjutant Song."

"Hmph! I was just warming up. Attendant Hwang, don't be a nuisance and stay out of it."

"That seems a little difficult. We don't have time now. How about I join in and we subdue them all at once? I'll write a good report."

"Why are you only saying that now... Alright. Let's go together."

The one called Adjutant Song, judging by his attire, seemed to be a martial artist of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

And Attendant Hwang, his voice was androgynous, and he looked like a eunuch of the Eastern Depot.

Originally, the relationship between the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not very good.

Moreover, the current emperor did not seem to have completely fallen into the hands of the Hoicheon Association.

'Well, there's no law that says all of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are on the emperor's side.'

Anyway, the important thing was that the one called Adjutant Song had been facing Mungchi alone.

In other words, if the warrior of the Eastern Depot called Attendant Hwang were to join in, the tide of battle would be completely turned.

"Sect Leader. What should we do about this? That one warrior alone was overwhelming, and it seems his companion is about to join in."

"If Mungchi returns to his original form, won't he be able to face them?"

"...I've been trying that since a while ago, but the Daoist art won't be released. Something is blocking my power."

"Don't tell me. Was the energy of the barrier I felt earlier that... I thought it was performed from my brother's side, but it seems that wasn't the case. Hmm..."

As the party was at a loss, this time, the six-tailed fox stepped forward and continued.

"Since what they want is just me, if it seems really dangerous, I will be taken captive."

"What are you talking about! That's out of the question!"

"That's right. Even if you step forward, there's no way they'll let us live. They've even shown their attire that reveals their identity. Killing us to silence us is a must."

The six-tailed fox was not saying that without knowing it.

She was planning to cast a charm the moment she was caught by the men, pretending to be captured.

But that was a hope that was not even 1%.

There was no way the hunters who had come for her would not have a countermeasure against the soul-capturing art.

The fact that Mungchi's Daoist art was sealed right now must be one of the measures they had taken in advance.

'I can't even use more than half of my sorcery. If so...'

The six-tailed fox made a determined expression, as if she were about to pull out her trump card.

But soon, the determined expression on the six-tailed fox's face disappeared, and a faint smile appeared.

"Your Excellency, the constellation, you've returned. You're later than I thought."

Because Namgung Hui had fallen from the air.

Namgung Hui checked that the party was not hurt anywhere and then calmly nodded his head.

"No one has been seriously injured yet. Mungchi, you've worked hard. Leave this to me now."

"Dad. I felt a very huge monster energy from over there just now. Are you really okay? Aren't you hurt anywhere, Dad?"

"This son of mine is even worried. I'm truly delighted. But look. I'm not hurt anywhere."

However, even though Namgung Hui looked fine on the outside, he was not fine on the inside.

While using the Sword Pill and the Ki Pill at the same time, a huge strain had followed on his Ki and blood.

And the consumption of internal energy was also immense, and of his 6 Jiazi of internal energy, not even a quarter was left.

But even so, Namgung Hui did not show a look of being at a loss.

Was it because he was afraid the party would be anxious at that sight?

That was not it, but because Namgung Hui had another way.

'I can just take the Reverting Power Pill I received from Eun Seolrin before. Was the source of this the Kunlun Mountains?'

Although Eun Seolrin had not told him how she had obtained it, the Reverting Power Pill was a pill made with the alchemy of the Kunlun Sect.

The effect of this pill was, as the name suggests, to return one's power.

Since it was said to immediately fill 30% of one's power, there would be no time when it was as desperately needed as now.

Namgung Hui immediately swallowed the Reverting Power Pill and slowly melted the pill.

"Adjutant Song. While you were talking, a helper has joined.

"Huhu! It's fine. Since Attendant Hwang will also be attacking jointly, it doesn't matter if their numbers increase, right? You are also a successor of the Sunflower Manual."

Namgung Hui, who had completely digested the Reverting Power Pill, felt his empty Dantian filling with internal energy and opened his eyes wide.

'That person is also a successor of the Sunflower Manual? It wasn't just the First Envoy who learned it.'

Although he had felt it before, the Sunflower Manual was by no means a martial art of a level to be ignored.

In the first place, since the person who had created this was the Fighting Immortal, the profoundness of the Sunflower Manual could be said to be more profound than any orthodox martial art.

Especially the secret and sticky, dense energy.

Needless to say, its power was also a supreme divine art.

"The lackeys of the Hoicheon Association. What is there to gain in this remote Qinghai Province that you've come all this way?"

"A fellow who knows of the existence of the Association. This is dangerous. We can't let him live."

"By any chance, isn't that fellow the one the envoy was talking about?"

"Indeed. It seems Adjutant Song's words are correct. I can see traces of disguise on that person's face."

"?!

The ones who were surprised by the words of Attendant Hwang and Adjutant Song were rather their allies, the Sun God disciples.

"Great Hero. Is that face fake? How could you deceive us all this time..."

"Be quiet. Is this the time to argue about that? Those guys are not just dangerous, but great guys. Because they are a force that is trying to move everything, controlling the martial world from behind. Look at them trying to interfere even by coming to Qinghai Province. They are by no means a normal organization."

"Hoho! Seeing as you're well-versed in us, you must be the new member the envoy mentioned. Let's test if you're qualified."

Another successor of the Sunflower Manual stepped forward.

Right now, even just that person was someone Namgung Hui had to face with all his might.

And the one called Adjutant Song had also been pushing Mungchi's party until now.

In other words, it was a situation where the outcome of the match could not be guaranteed.

On top of that, the remnants of the bandits, having heard the commotion, were flocking in, and a number of presences were flocking in from not too far away.

'I have to finish this quickly. If more reinforcements come, I can't fight while protecting them.'

Originally, in a battle between those who protect and those who take, the structure was such that those who take were bound to be at an advantage.

Because the object that had to be protected had a high probability of becoming a hindrance.

Even now, a sense of leisure was felt from the members of the Hoicheon Association.

And from Namgung Hui's party, a sense of anxiety was flowing.

Namgung Hui, who had made a decision, immediately drew the Thunder God Sword and rushed at Attendant Hwang.

And he did so while performing his ultimate technique from the very beginning.

Thirteen Flashes of Lightning. 7th Stance. Flashing Thunder.

The fastest stance among the thirteen stances.

A single streak of lightning rushed at a swift speed.

Spat!

Simultaneously with the dazzling flash of light, a resonant thunderclap struck.

Kugugung!

The place where the thunderbolt fell was right above Attendant Hwang's head.

He quickly raised his power with the Sunflower Manual, spread his protective Ki, and crossed his arms to block the thunderbolt.

Swaaa...

A pungent smell and smoke from burning flesh rose like steam.

Attendant Hwang's hair was also disheveled, and even his eyebrows were all burned, turning him into a hideous sight.

Should I say it was worth it for Namgung Hui to perform his ultimate technique from the very beginning?

"...This is more than the information the envoy gave. It seems he has long since surpassed the Transformation Realm."

"..."

But other than his appearance, there were no signs of a fatal wound.

His complexion was also clear, and the spirit in his eyes showed that his achievement in the Sunflower Manual was not low.

On top of that, the leisure he still felt was being expressed as it was.

'The Sunflower Manual. It's a more difficult martial art than I thought. To think it even has a protective quality.'

The power rose on its own and protected the body.

Perhaps because it was a martial art created with the emperor's learning in mind, it seemed to have no particular openings.

But he couldn't just give up like this.

If there were no openings, all he had to do was create them.

In fact, in his past life, there were quite a few martial artists who were close to perfection.

Perhaps such perfection existed to be broken.

Namgung Hui had once thought so.

And in the end, the Heavenly Demon and the Martial God had found a crack in each other's flawlessness and had reached a mutual destruction.

There was no reason Namgung Hui couldn't do the same.

On top of that, since he was a body that had learned several supreme divine arts, it could be said that he was at an advantage.

"Hoho! I'll go this time. Let's see if he has the qualifications of the new member the envoy mentioned...!"

As Attendant Hwang finished his words, a light flashed, and a gloomy energy soared from all directions.

A creepy and somehow unpleasant energy.

Namgung Hui felt a chill run down his spine and immediately stepped on his lightness skill and left his spot.

-KABOOOOM!

The spot where Namgung Hui had been standing was dented as if it had been struck by an invisible hammer.

It did not end with a single blow, but continuously chased Namgung Hui's figure and persistently pressed down on him.

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! Kwagwagwang!

Should I say it was like playing whack-a-mole?

It looked precarious, as if Namgung Hui would be hit by that hammer at any moment.

'I can't just be chased like this. I'll counterattack too.'

Namgung Hui, as if he had no intention of hiding anymore, immediately raised two kinds of energy at the same time with the Two Principles Heart Art.

A purple Sword Pill and a deep blue Ki Pill.

The opposing colors intertwined like the pattern of the Taiji.

Soon, the energies of the two Ki Pills combined and exploded with an extreme wave.

(End of Chapter)