Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Great Hero. Something has come out over there."

"I see it too. It seems to be a watchman."

The appearance of a spirit beast reminiscent of a tiger.

Unlike the blue tiger, the Azure Tiger, that he had seen before in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the tiger spirit beast in front of him had a deep red color.

Perhaps its name was also Red Tiger.

Namgung Hui looked at the spirit beast blocking his path and began to measure its spiritual power.

Unlike the internal energy possessed by martial artists, the spiritual power possessed by spirit beasts had a somewhat different wavelength, so it was necessary to observe it more closely.

'As expected, it's at a level where it can confidently block the path. If it were a martial artist, would it be at the Transformation Realm level?'

If it were the Transformation Realm, it was a level that even Namgung Hui could not be careless about.

If it were a spirit beast, whose trajectory was different from a martial artist, the story would be even more different.

A situation where he couldn't even imagine what kind of talents it possessed.

Whether the spirit beast was of the sorcery type like the seven-tailed fox.

Or whether it was of the thorough physical fighter type like Mungchi.

That would be known only by facing it directly.

And so, the moment Namgung Hui moved his party back and stepped forward.

[Human. Follow me.]

The Red Tiger suddenly told him to follow and, without even listening to an answer, took the lead and went on its way.

Namgung Hui glanced at his party and then followed the Red Tiger.

Although it could be a trap, that in itself was not bad for Namgung Hui.

'If they're the first to set up a sinister plot, I can legally take its inner core. I'm rather looking forward to it.'

Even if they were the immortals of the Kunlun Mountains, if a spirit beast were to attack a person first, they would not interfere much.

Unlike invading its territory, if it had set up a sinister plot, the justification would be on Namgung Hui's side.

And so, obediently following the Red Tiger, they arrived at the entrance of a valley in the middle of the Kunlun Mountains.

The sound of the clear water flowing was so pure that it felt as if it were cleansing his mind and body just by the sound.

After letting the clear air flow into his lungs, Namgung Hui opened his mouth.

"Hoo... The air is so clear. You didn't bring me all the way here just to let me breathe this good air. What is the reason for leading us here?"

[Human. Have you met the Blood Qilin?]

A nostalgic name that suddenly popped out.

Although the Blood Qilin had gone into seclusion for some reason, Namgung Hui was looking forward to meeting her again.

But despite that welcome name, Namgung Hui's complexion was not particularly bright.

"What does that have to do with you?"

That was because he still did not know the relationship between the Red Tiger and the Blood Qilin.

If the Red Tiger were on bad terms with the Blood Qilin, it would surely not have a good effect on Namgung Hui's party.

Still, since he did not feel any hostility from the Red Tiger, he carefully waited for the Red Tiger's answer.

[I feel her blessing from you. And I can faintly feel her scent, so you must have met her recently...]

A wistful look in the Red Tiger's voice.

Was it Namgung Hui's delusion that he also felt a hint of envy?

Namgung Hui, once again confirming that there was no hostility from the Red Tiger, nodded his head and said.

"Yes. I met the Blood Qilin in the Hundred Thousand Mountains a while ago. It seems you owe her a debt."

[That's right. Thanks to her, I was able to awaken my spirituality and evolve into a spirit beast. Let me introduce myself formally. I am the Red Tiger, the watchman of the Kunlun Mountains.]

As expected, his name was Red Tiger.

Although he had thought there would be more than one or two spirit beasts who owed a debt to the Blood Qilin, it was unusual for one to come out so favorably.

That was because spirit beasts were not led by personal feelings or had dramatic emotional expressions.

Perhaps it was a phenomenon that occurred because their roots were that of a beast and the condition of Daoist training were combined.

Anyway. Nevertheless, the fact that the Red Tiger showed this much goodwill meant that he had some special feelings for the Blood Qilin.

"It's all for the better that you're the watchman of the Kunlun Mountains. I'm trying to enter the Kunlun Sect. Is it okay to pass?"

[If it's a human who has even received her blessing, I will gladly allow it. If possible, I would like to guide you to the Kunlun Sect.]

If the watchman of the Kunlun Mountains were to even guide them, there would be no worry of getting lost, and it would be a complete blockade of any future disputes.

"Then I'll be in your debt."

[Alright. We'll have to leave right away to arrive before the sun sets. Before that... is she well?]

There was no way he could lie to the Red Tiger, who had come out with goodwill.

Namgung Hui, to the extent that he could speak, told the story he had had with the Blood Qilin.

[I see. So that's what happened. I had guessed that she wouldn't give her blessing to just anyone, but a bigger shot than I thought has visited.]

"Are you calling me a big shot? I'm not that great of a person."

[Yes. Looking at you up close, I'm sure. Not only is the energy of a star full, but I can also feel the wave of fate. Of course, it's crude compared to her, but I can feel this much.]

The energy of a star. It was no different from what Nahi had said before.

Namgung Hui also had a rough idea of what that energy of a star was.

His identity, a reincarnator.

It wasn't as if Namgung Hui had been reincarnated with his memories intact just by the whim of the heavens.

Perhaps thanks to being born with that star energy, he was enjoying this thing called reincarnation.

'This must be why Cheongi-ja had hinted at it in the past.'

[Thanks to you, I've heard a good story. I don't know if there will be such an opportunity, but if you need my help later, feel free to tell me.]

"Help. If it comes up, I'll be sure to ask. Before that, I'd like you to guide me."

[Alright! You slow humans, keep your wits about you so you don't get lost. Then let's go.]

The Red Tiger's figure shot forward in an instant, as if it had been extinguished for a moment.

A movement reminiscent of a phantom-like movement, and its range was so outstanding that it was incomparable.

Although Namgung Hui was confident he could follow the Red Tiger, it was unknown if Jeok Hwarin and Dancheong could follow.

But it was a groundless fear.

The Red Tiger's footprints, which were clearly left.

Even if the Red Tiger's figure was not visible, it seemed there would be no problem in following it to the Kunlun Sect.

And so, chasing the Red Tiger's tail for half a shichen.

Although they had run a considerable distance, the end of the Kunlun Mountains was not in sight.

No matter how big the mountain was, at Namgung Hui's speed, it was common to reach the summit in half a shichen.

Nevertheless, the fact that the summit was still not in sight meant that there was another meaning.

'A barrier is spread over the entire Kunlun Mountains. It seems they've prepared thoroughly after the decisive battle with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.'

But that Heavenly Demon Divine Cult no longer existed.

The Blood Cult, which was its descendant, had moved to the Hundred Thousand Mountains in Guangdong Province, so the Kunlun Mountains would not be the first to be invaded.

The aftermath of a war full of scars. Namgung Hui, commemorating this, smiled bitterly.

[Now. This is the Kunlun Sect.]

The Red Tiger wagged its tail and pointed to a clearing.

"Um, Mr. Red Tiger. I don't see anything."

[Of course. Because the Kunlun Sect is hiding its appearance with a barrier. I've sent a message inside, so someone will come out now. Please wait a moment.]

As the Red Tiger said, the atmosphere and the earth trembled, and the appearance of the mountain gate began to appear faintly.

Kugugugung.

The appearance of the Kunlun Sect, which appeared with a heavy vibration.

Although there were still traces of destruction here and there, even this looked sacred with the energy of the Kunlun Mountains.

This must be what was truly called classic and elegant.

A young Daoist who peeked his head out spotted the Red Tiger and spoke.

"Red Tiger. You've brought guests?"

[That's right. They will also be distinguished guests to you, so serve them with respect.]

"Hmm... Really?"

The young Daoist glanced at Namgung Hui's party and then, when his eyes met Jeok Hwarin's, he showed a flustered look.

As if he had met a woman for the first time, his embarrassment was evident.

'Since he's only been in the mountains, a woman must be unfamiliar.'

The Kunlun Sect, which was more closed off than the Shaolin Temple.

There would be few times when a woman's footsteps reached this place.

Of course, there could be female disciples, but they would not have the worldly adornments like Jeok Hwarin.

Although Namgung Hui had high standards, Jeok Hwarin's beauty was on the outstanding side.

However, the problem was that her growth was somewhat slow.

"Ahem. With the Red Tiger's permission, entering the Kunlun Mountains is fine, but entering the Kunlun Sect is another matter. May I know why you have visited the Kunlun Sect?"

Although the young disciple showed a shy appearance, a determined look could be seen in his tone.

The internal energy he possessed was incomparably pure, and its amount was so great that it could not be found among his peers.

Namgung Hui looked at the young disciple's wary eyes and spoke calmly.

"I am Namgung Hui from the Namgung family. The ones here are the descendants of the Sun God Palace, and here is the current sect leader of the Maoshan Sect."

"Oh... The Namgung family, the Sun God Palace, the Maoshan Sect. Distinguished guests have indeed come. Then may I confirm your identities?"

The disciples of the Sun God Palace began to prove themselves by showing their fire art.

The Maoshan Sect Leader, Jang Hwang, finished his proof by showing a few sorceries.

And lastly, Namgung Hui showed the family's traditional martial art, the symbol of the Namgung family.

But the young disciple's reaction was lukewarm.

"It's somewhat different from the sword art of the Namgung family that I know. Although it's a hegemonic sword, the subtlety of speed is mixed in. Hmm..."

Even though the people before him had sufficiently proved themselves, he did not let go of his suspicious gaze.

This was because they had been severely beaten in the past Righteous-Demonic War.

Jeok Hwarin and the others, thinking he was being too sensitive, scolded the young disciple.

"Don't tell me you're jealous of Namgung Hui here? Why are you doubting the most trustworthy Namgung family?"

At Jeok Hwarin's defense, Namgung Hui stealthily stepped in front of her and said.

"Jeok Hwarin. Don't step forward. This disciple's suspicion is natural. Have you completely forgotten what the Kunlun Sect suffered in the past Righteous-Demonic War? As this disciple said, our family's traditional martial art has changed a lot recently."

Hadn't Namgung Hui himself restored the latter half of the lost Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art?

That insight was not much different from the principle by which Namgung Hui had restored the latter half of the Ten Thousand Flower Rain.

In other words, it meant that half of it was Namgung Hui's own interpretation.

Of course, since the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art was restored based on his sworn brother Namgung Cheonhu's Emperor Sword Form, the context was not much different.

'Nevertheless, the fact that he noticed this means that the disciple in front of me has a considerable eye. As expected of the Kunlun Sect.'

"Pretty young lady. I'm sorry, but at that level, I can also imitate it. Would you like to see?"

"What? Do you think you're all that because you're a Daoist of the Kunlun Sect? Where do you get off imitating someone else's family's traditional martial art?"

Jeok Hwarin, who was still defending Namgung Hui.

Although she had heard the young disciple's words in vain, Namgung Hui was different.

'He's serious. But there's no need to watch him imitate it.'

"Alright. Young disciple of the Kunlun Sect. Right now, I am not here from the Namgung family, but as the sect leader of the Thunder God Sect. I will show you the martial art that is the symbol of the Thunder God Sect."

"The Thunder God Sect...!"

A name that even the young disciple had heard of.

Of course, since the origin of the Thunder God Sect was the Azure Dragon, among the Nine Factions and One Sect, the Kunlun Sect knew the Thunder God Sect best.

If so, they would of course recognize the thunder Ki, the symbol of the Thunder God Sect.

This was something that could not be unknown if one had eyes.

Namgung Hui drew the Thunder God Sword and brought down a thunderbolt from the dry sky.

Thirteen Flashes of Thunder. 6th Stance. Falling Thunder.

A single streak of lightning that cut through the air and fell.

It brushed past the young disciple's nose and turned an innocent rock into sand.

Kwagwagwang!

A thick dust and smoke rose.

The young disciple, who had faced this right in front of him, coughed and continued.

"Cough! Cough! Where is it that you suddenly do this!"

"Where is it? It's right here. It's a good thing to check identities carefully, but as Jeok Hwarin said, the Sun God Palace and the Maoshan Sect had also finished their proof. Nevertheless, since you said verification was necessary, I just showed you clearly."

"!!!

The young Daoist, with a look of clear surprise.

He was surprised for two reasons, starting with the fact that a noble son, who was only a few years older than him, was the true successor of the Thunder God Sect.

'To think someone so young is so strong...!'

The Kunlun Sect disciple, who had thought there was no rival in his age group.

It was a matter of course, but he was in an environment where he could only be strong, training in martial arts every day in the mountains.

On top of that, it was the Kunlun Mountains, which were full of spirit energy, and he had received not only spirit medicines, but also bone marrow washing and meridian cleansing as if he were eating rice.

But someone who looked only three or four years older than him had already crossed the wall and had reached a mature realm.

As the young disciple bit his lip in frustration, a seasoned voice was heard from inside the mountain gate.

"Tsk, tsk. That's enough. Let them in.”

(End of Chapter)