Chapter 88
“Gr-Great!”
“Is this a fight between fists?”
“It’s a feast of peerless brawling!”
Swiftly.
And the clash between So-ah and Gwang-won, which unfolded without hesitation, had something that made the hearts of those watching pound.
Coincidentally, both were masters of unarmed brawling.
Of course, although various weapon techniques existed in Shaolin, there would be no disagreement that the secret techniques of the thousand-year-old Shaolin were unarmed martial arts centered on the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.
Because the three great divine arts of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, the Great Strength Diamond Finger, and the Diamond Prajna Palm, as well as the widely known martial arts such as the Iron Head Art, the Dragon Claw Hand, and the Shadowless Kick, were all brawling arts.
In a word.
‘This duel is truly a once-in-a-lifetime match to determine the strongest brawler in the Central Plains!’
For Gwang-won as well.
For So-ah as well, it was a true sword fight that they could absolutely not be pushed back in.
As expected.
Kwagwang, kwagagagagang, kwareureureung!
So-ah’s Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon and Gwang-won’s Hundred Steps Divine Fist continued in succession without a moment of silence, letting out a roar that shook the heavens and the earth.
The unique lightning that appeared when operating the Great Whale Heart Law was added to the Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon, and conversely, a thick Gang Qi overflowed from Gwang-won’s fist strike, which had raised the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.
‘In terms of tyrannical force alone, it’s even harder than Brother Beon-pal’s fist.’
So-ah was inwardly impressed by Gwang-won’s ruthless Hundred Steps Divine Fist.
Moreover.
Kwagagagagang!
Even after more than 50 exchanges, the force of Gwang-won’s attack did not diminish in the slightest.
In a fight of brute force versus brute force, where such destructive fist gangs were unleashed, even a master with profound internal energy would be broken after a short time, or if not, would secure time to recharge their internal energy for a moment.
But the current Gwang-won, as if with the determination of ‘you die, I die,’ was adhering to an excessive frontal attack without being conscious of his own safety.
‘A monk who fights like this. He’s just a fighting dog starved for a fight, isn’t he? Good grief! Keke.’
Therefore, even in the moment of admiration, a smirk flowed from So-ah.
Certainly, such an ignorant and honest attack was bound to reveal a weakness.
As expected, at the point where the tremendous clash of fist gang versus fist gang exceeded 100 exchanges, So-ah discovered Gwang-won’s fatal weakness.
‘After depleting his stamina with the Swift Whale Step, the moment he’s exhausted, if I counterattack, Gwang-won will surely show an opening.’
That was the difference in class that came from real combat experience in a duel.
Although Gwang-won also pursued a super-practical martial art to the extent of defeating the 18 Diamond Arhats of the Arhat Hall, compared to So-ah, that was also a drop in the bucket.
In the eyes of So-ah, who had fought against two of the Ten Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, Gwang-won, although strong, was seen as nothing more than a clumsy monster who was not smart.
But.
‘Let’s see how far he can follow.’
An interesting thought came to mind.
It wasn’t just about interest.
But So-ah wanted to fully enjoy Shaolin’s brawling arts, and he wanted to see how great Gwang-won’s spirit was.
Kwaaaaaaang—!
So-ah, who had been responding by unleashing twin fists in succession, suddenly withdrew his fists and thrust his head into the wave of the ferocious fist gang.
‘Wh-What is that?!’
‘Is he trying to commit suicide?’
‘He’s a human who can’t be predicted at all.’
The people, at So-ah’s sudden action, had their eyes wide open and their mouths agape.
But those who knew So-ah well could not help but draw a triumphant smile.
‘There it is!’
‘That’s really going to kill him, kill him.’
‘Monk Gwang-won, goodbye. Kikik.’
It was none other than the ‘Great Whale Iron Head Art,’ which boasted the most cruel killing power among the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.
“Keuht!”
For the first time, a groan leaked from Gwang-won’s mouth.
And for good reason, because So-ah’s head contained so much force that his own fist bone, which was wrapped in a gang qi, had been shattered with a kwajijik.
‘My Hundred Steps Divine Fist, which can destroy even iron like tofu!’
Gwang-won’s complexion turned pale.
Gwang-won had been practicing the Iron Sand Palm (a training to strengthen the hands) for a shichen every day for over ten years since he was seven.
On top of that, it was a fist gang wrapped in the profound internal energy of the Nine Yin True Classic, which could not even be manifested if one was not of the Gwang generation.
How could such a fist of his be shattered to pieces?
But before he could even chew on that bewilderment.
Kwareureureung!
As So-ah’s Great Whale Iron Head Art rushed forward again with the momentum to crush his face, Gwang-won urgently crossed his arms in a cross shape and barely blocked the attack.
But Gwang-won was thrown back a full five zhang, and unable to manage the shock, he ended up hitting his buttocks on the ground with a thump.
Was that all?
The killing power of the Great Whale Iron Head Art was merciless.
As if the bones of his crossed arms had been shattered, Gwang-won could not even properly lift his arms.
‘This is!’
‘A failure!’
‘My goodness… Gwang-won is a master of external arts who is on the verge of the Diamond Indestructible Body! How…’
The people from the Shaolin side could not help but let out a long sigh.
If Gwang-won were a swordsman, he might have been able to turn the tide of the match by unleashing the Sword Controlling with Ki.
But Gwang-won was a master of unarmed martial arts.
If the bones of such a brawler’s arms and hands were broken?
The outcome of the match was as clear as day.
But.
“Keung…”
Gwang-won stood up.
Also, his eyes were still filled with fighting spirit.
So-ah asked him.
“Monk. Can you follow?”
“If the donor responds with the Iron Head Art…”
“…”
“I just have to unleash the Iron Head Art as well.”
“Wow! Look at that spirit. It’s cool.”
“The Iron Head Art originally came from Shaolin.”
The corners of the mouths of the two who were facing each other rose slightly.
***
Kwagagagagang!
Kwareureureung!
Kwagagagagagagagang!
“What kind of duel is this?”
“Have you ever seen such a duel?”
“No. Never. Absolutely. Not at all!”
An event that could never happen on a duel stage was vividly unfolding.
Gwang-won, whose arm bones were broken, was also responding to the Great Whale Iron Head Art by unleashing the Shaolin Iron Head Art, just like So-ah.
A feast of headbutt versus headbutt between the two peerless young masters.
At first, the people had to feel bewildered.
Because it was a ruthless duel that disregarded life and death.
But as that simple and ignorant fight of brute force continued, the people felt a shock and fear.
Who in the world could fight such a fight?
And as time gradually passed, now.
“Wow! I’m so nervous. My hands are sweating.”
“Where else would you see something like this?”
“Just one blow would shake the brain, but they’ve already clashed dozens of times… won’t their skulls break and they’ll die?”
Suddenly, everyone’s hearts began to heat up.
In that way, the room was quickly filled with excitement and enthusiasm, heating up like an active volcano.
In that moment.
Kwaaaaaaa!!!
A huge roar, on a different level from before, covered the entire Mount Song.
It was the sound of the balance of the headbutt attacks, which had been exchanged one by one, breaking.
“Keuk…”
A single groan.
It was a groan that flowed from Gwang-won’s mouth.
At the same time, reddish fresh blood flowed from Gwang-won’s nose, ears, and mouth.
Because he had unleashed the Iron Head Art with all his might dozens of times, a huge strain had accumulated in his body, and it had finally led to an abnormal symptom.
Stagger, stagger.
Gwang-won’s body, which could not shake off the shock to his brain and organs, slowly swayed.
Seeing that, worried shouts poured out from the Shaolin side.
“Venerable Uncle!”
“Junior Brother!”
“Stop it now! That’s enough!”
But.
Whether he couldn’t hear their voices, or whether he was deliberately ignoring them, Gwang-won still clenched his teeth and looked at So-ah with eyes full of spirit.
“Monk. You’re really tough, aren’t you?”
“Do you think you’ve won?”
“What’s there to say?”
“You’re wrong.”
“What?”
“It’s not over yet.”
At the same time.
Gooooooo…
A huge wave of ki that could not be described arose from Gwang-won’s body, a zhang around him.
“Hah… what is that?”
“D-Don’t tell me?!”
The people, and even the people from the Shaolin side, looked at Gwang-won with terrified eyes.
In that moment, a low voice flowed from the mouth of the Great Master Gong-seung.
“Amitabha… Gwang-won-ah. Are you finally going to unleash the Marrow Cleansing Sutra…”
And soon.
“He’s just like a Buddha. A Buddha. This monk surprises me several times.”
Even So-ah shook his head with a terrified look.
Gwang-won’s appearance, with his entire body dyed in a golden gang qi, was like a manifested Diamond Arhat.
“I have not lost yet!!”
When he heard Gwang-won’s huge and desperate roar, for the first time, a change occurred in So-ah’s heart.
‘This monk is crazy, he’s crazy.’
***
<Marrow Cleansing Sutra>!
A peerless divine art that only one or two people in an era could learn.
The people had never dreamed that Gwang-won would have learned even the Marrow Cleansing Sutra.
But the surprise quickly cooled down.
Why?
Because a shock far greater than that had made their hearts pound.
Kwagagagagang!
The duel, which had started before noon, continued until the dark night fell.
The aspect of the duel was what was astonishing.
There was not a single moment when it was not at full power, and not a single moment when it was not a clash of gang qi.
Kwareureureung!
Gwang-won’s Dragon Claw Hand and So-ah’s High Mountain Eight Walls (shoulder attack) collided.
The flash of light that occurred when the golden gang qi and the lightning gang qi mixed flickered like a torch, illuminating the area around the duel stage.
“Venerable Uncle. Junior Brother Gwang-won has already poured out all 72 kinds of secret arts. And yet…”
The Great Master Gwang-yeong, who was watching the fierce battle, trailed off with a worried voice, and the Great Master Gong-seung opened his mouth.
“I know. There is no way for Gwang-won to turn the tide of the match anymore. It is regrettable, but the disciple of the God of War… Young Master Jin is worthy of being called the greatest talent of his era!”
“Venerable Uncle…”
“But watch.”
“…”
“The soil after the rain becomes harder.”
“Venerable Uncle…”
“The appearance of Gwang-won now. Gwang-won’s spirit and mettle! That is the appearance of the thousand-year-old Great Shaolin.”
“Venerable Uncle!”
“Venerable Uncle!”
In that moment.
Kwakwakwakwa!
A terrifying momentum began to rise from Gwang-won’s body, and a three-move consecutive attack of incomparable strength rushed towards So-ah.
The Hundred Steps Divine Fist, the Great Strength Diamond Finger, and the Diamond Prajna Palm. All the techniques of the fist, finger, and palm were contained in a single blow.
‘That is the history of Shaolin!’
An indescribable sense of reverence appeared in the eyes of the Shaolin people.
At this moment, even So-ah could not help but think that.
Gwang-won was showcasing a super-extreme brawling that he had never seen before.
But.
Swiiiiiiiiik!
So-ah twisted his body.
The rotation grew stronger and in an instant became a typhoon imbued with thunder.
“It’s the Iron Armor Great Rotation!”
“There it is! Why is that coming out now?”
“He blocked Jang Beon-pal’s attack with that too.”
Papapapapapapang!
The clash of the three great secret arts of Shaolin and the Iron Armor Great Rotation.
“Kraaaaaaack!”
In the storm of the Iron Armor Great Rotation, Gwang-won felt a pain as if his body was being torn apart.
But that was only the beginning.
Thwack!
So-ah’s counterattack, which did not miss the moment Gwang-won’s hand reached a standstill.
The terrifying kick of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts, the Tsunami Kick, was embedded in Gwang-won’s lower abdomen like a weapon.
“Keuuuuk!”
Pushashak!
Blood spurted from Gwang-won’s mouth.
Further fighting was meaningless.
But.
Thud!
So-ah grabbed the collar of Gwang-won, who was crumbling and swaying like a rotten old tree.
And then.
Chuck!
He pressed Gwang-won’s chest against his own, brought his shoulder to his armpit, and completely locked him in.
Hwirik!
He mercilessly lifted Gwang-won’s body like a lever and flipped him over.
In Gwang-won’s sight, the sky became the ground, and the ground became the sky.
By the time he felt the floating sensation of that reverse flow, his head had already been miserably slammed into the floor of the duel stage.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The unique standing grappling art of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.
It was the moment when the Mountain-Toppling Stand was unfolded.
“Gwang-won-ah!”
“Junior Brother!”
“Venerable Unclllle!”
The monks of Shaolin rushed out to the duel stage like arrows.
But for some reason, the corners of the mouth of the fallen Gwang-won, who was covered in blood, were slightly turned up.
“Monk. How was my last gift? Was it bearable?”
“Keuk… it was a fantastic grappling art.”
“If you want to learn it, become a fallen monk and enter the Moyong Family. I’ll give you special private lessons. Hahaha.”
Fortunately, Gwang-won’s lamp of consciousness went out without hearing So-ah’s last words.
(End of Chapter)