Chapter 152
Kwa-a-a-a-ang!
The dozens of strands of ki waves emitted from his body had a peculiar nature that was on a different track from the phenomena of ki (氣) or gang (罡).
The destructive power and speed contained in those ki waves were enough to bewilder even the caster himself.
'...Is this really... what I unleashed?'
Myo-seon's hand, which was holding the sword, trembled slightly.
She still couldn't believe her own progress.
Cold sweat was flowing down her forehead.
"Phew..."
For about half a shichen.
Myo-seon, who had experienced the mystery of the Sunflower Manual, wiped the sweat that had formed in beads and sheathed her sword, then looked around at the destroyed surroundings.
Her gaze was entangled with complex emotions.
She looked bewildered, and in a way, she seemed to be trembling gently, but what was certain was that her heart was pounding as if it would burst.
'I...'
She had expected a quantum leap from the moment the nine lumps of cold ki that had been blocking her fine meridians were pierced by the power of the Sunflower Manual.
But the Sunflower Manual, which she had actually unfolded after opening her Conception Vessel, was displaying a truly terrifying destructive power.
'There will be no martial art with such a tyrannical killing power except for the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.'
It was a strange feeling.
It was definitely a peerless divine art, and it was the <Sunflower Manual> that had even made the symptoms of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, which had tormented her her whole life, disappear...
Before the unprecedented great power she was experiencing for the first time in her life, Myo-seon could not help but ponder whether she could handle this power well.
But.
'Oh, me... what am I thinking now... pfft!'
She soon dismissed such thoughts as a futile worry and a presumptuous arrogance.
'If So-ah had heard such thoughts, wouldn't he have cursed me a lot? Haha.'
That's right.
You're worried about getting stronger because you have nothing else to do?
What, you punk!
It would be a relief if he didn't give her a good scolding with his justice club...
'There are still so many people who are far ahead of me even among my peers... to have such worries! Let's get a grip, Myo-seon-ah.'
Not to mention So-ah, and if she were to compare herself to the divine monk of Shaolin, Master Gwangwon?
Myo-seon would not even be a match for him yet.
Besides, even just Namgung Mun of the Namgung family was a master who was far ahead of the current Myo-seon, and she could not be sure of victory even against Tang Il-gi of the Tang family.
Thus, with mountains to overcome even among her peers, it was nothing short of absurd to be already worried about the amplification of her power.
'Yes. Let's not think about other things, and just work hard! Let's focus on getting stronger.'
Myo-seon once again recited the oral formula of the Sunflower Manual and immersed herself in the surging power.
It was still unknown how powerful a master she would become.
***
"Wow! Is that true, Brother Chan?"
"It gives me the creeps."
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi, who had returned to Wi-ji Chan's residence after the meeting with the Cult Leader and were having a conversation, repeated the same question with astonished eyes.
"That's right! Why would I lie? Haha."
The two had heard from Wi-ji Chan about the Gansu cult branch of the White Lotus Cult, the enormous number of demonic beasts sealed in the forbidden area, and the strange, powerful, fallen monks whose body joints moved freely like those of a mollusk.
Among them, the part that had greatly astonished So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi was, by far, the one about the sealed demonic beasts.
"Based on Young Leader Wi-ji's words, the power of the White Lotus Cult is much more threatening than we thought. It's amazing that they created such a number of demonic beasts, but the fact that they can handle them freely is even more unbelievable. At the very least, it means that there are several more sorcerers and monks like No Yeong-myeong in the White Lotus Cult."
Jeon Woo-chi said, narrowing his eyes with a deep gaze as if in deep thought.
As he said, the scary thing about the White Lotus Cult was not the absolute number of demonic beasts they possessed.
To control such a number of demonic beasts, the control techniques of sorcerers and monks whose magical power had reached the heavens would be necessary.
"That's right, Scholar Jeon Woo-chi. A sorcerer who is proficient in supernatural powers has the power of a thousand men."
Wi-ji Chan also agreed with Jeon Woo-chi's words.
Jeon Woo-chi continued.
"My master said that in the distant past, there were many immortal-like sorcerers in the Central Plains. Even in sects like Kunlun, Wudang, and Qingcheng, which are now known to only practice the martial arts of the Taoist lineage, they used to teach sorcery. But at some point, various supernatural powers such as sorcery, illusionary arts, strange arts, and transformation arts were treated as strange and great laws, and their lineage was cut off in the orthodox sects. That point is truly regrettable."
At that, Wi-ji Chan, as if a curiosity about Jeon Woo-chi had arisen, curled the corners of his lips and asked.
"Scholar Jeon Woo-chi. Your knowledge seems to be great. If it is not rude, may I know where your school is, and from which master you have learned?"
At that question, Jeon Woo-chi seemed to understand why So-ah followed Wi-ji Chan so well.
'I thought he would be a high-nosed person since he is the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult... but this person, his physiognomy is one thing, but his character is truly pure! He is a person who does not suit the Demonic Cult.'
Therefore, Jeon Woo-chi let down his guard and honestly revealed his identity.
"Young Leader Wi-ji. I am actually not a person of the Central Plains. My school is a place called the Udo-bang of Goryeo, and my master is the leader of the Udo-bang, the Taoist Baek In-hwa, who can be said to be the greatest sorcerer of his time."
"The Udo-bang of Goryeo? Then are you saying that Scholar Jeon is a Goryeo person?"
"That's right."
"Ah...!"
A cry of admiration burst from Wi-ji Chan's mouth.
"I have also heard a lot about Goryeo. Although Goryeo is a small country, I have heard that it is a place full of outstanding martial artists and monks. In particular, the anecdote about a person named Cheok Jun-gyeong was so unbelievable that I could hardly believe it even after hearing it..."
"Hah! Does the young leader know Cheok Jun-gyeong?"
"Of course I do. I have learned the theories of all the martial arts in the world since I was young. I have also learned about the climate, customs, culture, language, martial arts, and supernatural powers of other continents, not just the Central Plains."
"That's amazing!"
"Haha. I have even been taught by a teacher with blonde hair and blue eyes, a person of colored eyes."
In an instant, So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi were secretly intimidated.
Even just in terms of martial arts, Wi-ji Chan could be said to be the best talent in the world, and his jade-like face was even more radiant than Namgung Mun, who was called the most handsome man in the Orthodox Path.
As if that wasn't enough, at the growth history of Wi-ji Chan, who had accumulated knowledge in various fields since he was young, they had the thought that a person could be this outstanding.
"As expected! Our Brother Chan is so outstanding. Even if he were the son of the emperor, I wouldn't be envious, right? Isn't that right, Brother Woo-chi?"
"Th-That seems to be the case. The young leader is truly a great person."
"Life is really unfair. He's handsome, rich, smart, and his martial arts are strong. And what about his background? It feels like he's hogging everything."
Was that why?
Perhaps because of his envy, So-ah listed Wi-ji Chan's strengths with an exaggerated voice and expression.
But this.
'Anyone can tell that he's being sarcastic.'
As they say, there is a bone in the words, and it was definitely a sarcastic remark with a thorn.
At that.
"So-ah, you brat! Do you have a conscience? For you to say such a thing to me. Hahaha."
Wi-ji Chan said, bursting into a hollow laugh.
"Huh? Brother Chan. Why are you suddenly talking about my conscience?"
"It doesn't make sense for you to tell me that I'm hogging everything, you punk."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Tsk, tsk. Just becoming the top disciple of the God of War, Elder Moyong, was a fateful opportunity of an eternity, but as if that wasn't enough, my grandfather gave you various precious spiritual medicines as a gift, right? Besides, you even experienced the peak of your skills with the <Great Purity Limitless Divine Core> and the <Vajra Bronze-Man God Core> that came from the <Map of the Ghost Valley Villa>? What kind of fateful opportunity is that? I've never seen such a fateful opportunity even in myths or novels. Is that all? At the young age of 22, you even became sworn brothers with the King of the Green Forest and the Waterway King, who are the ten great masters of the Black Path? Furthermore, you're on close terms with the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace? Huh? It wouldn't make sense if it ended there. What? The top disciple you got for the first time in your life happens to be the son of the Lee family of Shandong? My goodness! This is something I can't believe even after hearing it, you brat. Are you in a position to be sarcastic to me? You're a lump of the world's greatest fateful opportunities! Phew!"
My, he must have been terribly wronged.
Why is his tongue so long?
But...
It was true, so it was impossible to refute.
Come to think of it, for So-ah to be envious of someone was definitely a part that needed to be checked to see if he had hair on his conscience.
As Wi-ji Chan said, how many people in this era could experience such a continuous series of immense fateful opportunities?
No!
It was Wi-ji Chan's theory that it could not be found even if one went back through the generations, not just this era.
In the end, So-ah had given a peck and received a bushel.
[Hey. So why did you act up? You're a guy with hair on his conscience.]
[What?!]
Jeon Woo-chi sent a telepathic message to So-ah with a smile.
[A guy who has grown up sucking up all the fateful opportunities and blessings that exist in the world, so where do you get off being sarcastic to the young leader Wi-ji, being sarcastic? Tsk, tsk.]
[Brother Woo-chi. Can you please be quiet? What...]
[Wow! You're even threatening your older brother now?]
[Hey, let's not be so picky about age since we're growing old together. Huh?]
[Aww! You disrespectful brat. Are you going to treat me as an equal?]
[Really? Is it okay to treat you as an equal? I'm starting now.]
[Ah...]
It was when So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi were bickering back and forth.
"So-ah."
Wi-ji Chan said in a low voice.
"Yes, Brother Chan."
"So."
"What is it?"
"Shall we take a look at that great martial art that has broken through the gate of the Profound Realm with the peak of your skills?"
What was to come had come.
Perhaps So-ah had been waiting for this moment.
The object of his admiration, which would move a step away whenever he thought he had caught up.
Furthermore, the object of his competition, which he wanted to surpass at least once, was none other than Wi-ji Chan.
And...
The current So-ah was confident.
Of course, he did not think of himself as the number one master in the world.
At the very least, Baek In-hwa, the Great Master Gongcheng, Master Yonggak, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, etc.
...he thought that there would be about five or six people in the entire martial world who were stronger than him.
But.
'Among my peers, no one will be able to catch up with me now.'
Even if that person was the Wi-ji Chan he respected so much.
So-ah curled the corners of his lips.
"Let's have a match. Is that what you're saying, brother?"
"Oh! Look at that spirit. You seem confident."
"Of course. When was Wi-ji Chan, Wi-ji Chan! He's no match for me now. Kekeke."
"As a rule, the Profound Realm is compared to the Demonic Transformation. But my realm has not yet reached the Demonic Transformation and is still in the Extreme Demonic state."
"So you're no match for me!"
"No."
"..."
"So-ah, your memory is not very good, is it?"
"Huh?"
"The duel between my grandfather and Elder God of War. Don't you remember?"
"...!"
"Your master, Elder God of War, achieved a draw despite being at a lower realm than my grandfather. The outcome of a fight is not determined by the high or low of martial arts and realms."
"Ah...!"
Why hadn't he thought of that?
The moment he heard Wi-ji Chan's words, So-ah suddenly realized his rashness.
A fight.
That it was not determined by the high or low of realms and martial arts.
That that was precisely the true value of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.
"I've been put in my place again, Brother Chan."
"You punk, you've lost your original intention. Haha."
"Aww! You're going too far. You can check for yourself whether I've lost my original intention or not."
"Alright. Let's go out."
"Yes. My body was itching for a fight anyway."
As soon as their words ended, the two got up from their seats.
Jeon Woo-chi, who was watching them, was so dumbfounded that he was at a loss for words.
'Are they really going to have a duel like this all of a sudden? My goodness! Is that why they're martial artists, or are martial artists originally like that? Aww! I don't know anymore, I don't know!’
(End of Chapter)