Chapter: 722
A long time has passed since the emergence of the Seven Iron Three Books, the ten great masters.
This marks the aftermath of the grand war with Sapa from the past.
It is a name that arose following the Battles of Jeongsa.
As time has flowed, a few have changed, but the overall framework remains the same.
In the Central Plains, where the worship of martial prowess is prevalent, there are ten notable masters.
It may be difficult to rank them; however, once set, it’s strange for them to be overturned easily.
‘You can tell just by looking at the Three Lords.’
It has been over ten years since the Three Lords have been inactive.
The only one to show up has been the Heavenly Lord, while the Paejon has maintained their position despite not being active for over twenty years.
This indicates how solid a position can be once established.
Now, let’s pose a question.
‘Just how strong are these ten great masters?’
This is a fundamental inquiry.
Seven Iron Three Books.
The strongest of ten selected from the Central Plains.
Are they truly the strongest ten?
I raised this question and simultaneously gave an answer.
‘No.’
I don’t think so.
Currently, in the Central Plains, there are numerous individuals living while concealing their power.
Isn’t that evident just by looking at my father?
Those who didn’t participate in the war and remained inconspicuous, their names unknown.
They probably understood.
That their participation was unnecessary for the war to be victorious.
Or perhaps, they just didn’t care about the outcome.
That’s why they did not unveil themselves.
However.
‘They made their appearance during the Jeongma War.’
A bloodbath incited by the Heavenly Demon.
At that time, the entire Central Plains began to ignite, leading some to reluctantly reveal themselves.
These would later be known as entities like the Thunder Saint and the Military Path.
Though weaker than the Three Lords, they still could be counted among the ten great masters.
This indicates there are those even stronger than the currently known ten great masters.
The present ten great masters are undeniably strong but imply that not all revealed tales are entirely true.
Oh, of course.
‘So this doesn’t mean that the ten great masters are weak.’
It merely suggests that strength alone cannot guarantee an absolute entity.
Tap tap.
I lightly shook my hands and gazed straight ahead.
The leader of the Amipa.
Bunwol Kwonseon is now standing before me with arms crossed.
Just standing still, the air around her vibrates oddly.
Is she flexing her power like some fool from the Penggar?
That’s not it.
Even if one tries to conceal it, some semblance of presence will inevitably seep out.
‘Could it be Kwonseon?’
A woman who ascended to the position of Jangmunin in the Amipa, a school primarily focused on swordsmanship.
I observed the old woman and steadied my mind.
Simultaneously, I sensed her presence and activated my body.
Thud.
With my body gaining strength, my muscles swelled.
Feeling the hostility, I shifted into a combat stance.
Just as we were about to prepare slowly.
“Old Young Master.”
The earlier Bunwol Kwonseon questioned me.
“Are you truly considering this?”
Hearing this made me chuckle softly.
“What are you saying? You’ve come all the way here.”
We were currently nestled in the training area set up behind the residence.
This venue was arranged at Mrs. Mi’s request and was typically utilized for agnostic matches and practice sessions.
In such a place, I was facing Kwonseon.
The reason, of course, was for a sparring match.
Kwonseon seemed less than pleased with this scenario, constantly frowning.
“I will ask you one last time… Really?”
“You don’t need to ask. My answer remains the same as before.”
I dismissed her tiresome inquiries.
“You should loosen your body quickly. At your age, or else you’ll end up worn out.”
“… Hah.”
A soft sigh swept across my skin.
The activated body became sensitive to every moment.
“This is an opportunity I’m providing you.”
“An opportunity?”
“If we go any further than this, it won’t end with mere light teasing.”
Kwonseon’s eyes sunk slightly.
Her breathing grew a tad heavier.
The air pressure emanating from her started to encroach steadily upon the vast training ground.
“You are impressive. I couldn’t help but be astonished when I saw your performance. You can afford to be arrogant and conceited. You’ve reached a level where that’s permissible.”
“I don’t know how to react to such flattery.”
“One. That’s enough.”
Boom.
As Kwonseon brushed her hand, ripples appeared in the air.
“Do I appear to be less capable than a minor child from the Penggar?”
In an instant, the Taoist King became a fool.
While it was amusing, I didn’t laugh.
This wasn’t an air pressure light enough to provoke laughter.
“Amipa does not take insult lightly.”
A small ripple quickly transformed into a crack.
I nodded at her words.
“So? Are you suggesting we should stop now?”
“If you apologize and seek forgiveness, perhaps we can pretend this rudeness never happened.”
“What sort of apology and forgiveness are you suggesting?”
Hahaha.
I let out a laugh and immediately covered my mouth.
Oh, what should I do? I couldn’t hold back.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to proceed.
It’s already too late; I’ll stick to the original plan.
“You came to me this morning without any notice, didn’t you?”
“… You…?”
Kwonseon’s furrowed brow showed her displeasure at my wording.
“But what kind of apology are we discussing? Is a younger person addressing you with disrespect upsetting?”
“You are really thinking of crossing the line.”
“If there were a line, it was crossed long ago. Why squander my thoughts fretting over it?”
“Are you indicating you are aware that the Amipa is provoking you?”
“The Amipa is ludicrous.”
I mixed in a sigh.
“I’m simply stating I don’t like it, so I’m voicing my thoughts. If it makes you uncomfortable, feel free to insist I refer to you as Amipa. It’s no issue.”
“…!”
“And if I apologize and seek forgiveness now, will you think I’ll just answer your whimsical queries?”
Am I really supposed to forgive easily? That’s absurd.
Within my actions, I presumed she viewed it as a child’s folly, yet Kwonseon had silently followed me here for a reason.
“Let’s keep it simple. I’ve given you the justification.”
There’s considerable stigma in an elder martial artist fighting against someone much younger.
And to do so with a goal, settling the result through strength? One risks being labeled petty.
Thus, I conjured a plausible excuse.
I instigated the trouble first.
Moreover.
“I even placed a prohibition. I declared that I wouldn’t speak of this to anyone else.”
Additionally, I arranged everything to prevent any fallout.
I handled everything perfectly, so why the hesitation?
It was utterly perplexing.
And it seems Kwonseon was equally baffled.
“What on earth could be the reason for this?”
“Jang Mun-in, have you perhaps gone deaf?”
“… What?”
“I’ve explained everything up to this point. Why are you asking again?”
What had she heard?
Or did she hear yet still not comprehend? Fine, I’ll make it clearer.
“I find this battle to be a nuisance, so let’s fight and be done with it. That’s how martial artists have always done it, right?”
Hah.
What a waste of time.
My agenda was already brimming today.
It translates to me being so occupied that I lack time to spare for an elderly woman.
Thus.
“Grandma, let’s halt the chatter and get down to business.”
CRACK!
My patience wore thin.
Upon uttering this, Kwonseon’s companion, seated next to her, flushed bright red.
“You. What did you just say to the leader?”
This was the same woman who interrupted before.
Her face spoke of considerable anger.
However.
“How dare you speak to the esteemed Amipa…?!”
The woman couldn’t finish her sentence again.
Around ten steps.
I had closed that distance with a single stride and grasped the woman by the neck.
The seized woman quaked, unable to retaliate.
I spoke down to her.
“What did I say before? That I’d rip off one of your arms.”
CRACK.
“Ugh!!”
Instead of actually pulling it off, I distorted her right arm in a bizarre manner.
I seriously contemplated the extraction but restrained myself.
“Why do you keep interrupting when adults converse? If you don’t cease, you may genuinely perish. Do you understand?”
The woman couldn’t even scream.
While holding her throat, I silenced her breathing too.
In that state, I turned to Kwonseon.
I’ve closed the gap between us to less than two steps.
“Since you’re so preoccupied with doubts, I’ll assist you with one final option.”
Kwonseon’s eyes widened.
This was emphatically my indulgence.
Before the bout commences. A warning for her not to let her guard down unnecessarily.
“If you’re not going to fight, I’ll erase you right now.”
Sly grin.
As I casually stated this, a colossal force ignited from Kwonseon.
The posture remained constant, yet the atmosphere shifted completely.
It felt as if she transformed into a totally different entity.
Is this the prowess of a teenage master?
It offers a mix of suffocation; this isn’t so unpleasant.
WHOOSH.
BOOM-!!
I unceremoniously discarded the woman I had seized.
The crashing sound resonated from afar as she collided with a wall.
I had adjusted the force, but a miscalculation could’ve proven lethal.
I mulled that thought over.
“You truly possess a talent for belittling others.”
Kwonseon seemed indifferent to what happened to the Amipa disciple.
“If your decision is to continue this, I’ll respect it. Even youthful tempers can flare boldly.”
Kwonseon gradually assumed her stance.
“Please don’t regret your decisions…!”
Suddenly, I thrust my fist into Kwonseon’s abdomen.
BAM—!!
“… GASP!”
Her body folded upon impact.
In turn, I pushed her forcefully.
KABAAM!
With the blow, Kwonseon’s body was sent crash-landing into the wall.
CRUNCH! The training ground wall shattered around her.
THUNK THUNK.
Debris cascaded to the floor in a chaotic rattle.
I regarded her in pointed annoyance.
“Where are you pretending to be strong? Prepare to break.”
Despite having shown everything, she still persisted. It was utterly confounding.
Filled with irritation, I gazed at the wall.
THUD—
Suddenly, I sensed a rising pressure.
At once, I tensed my hands instinctively.
WHOOSH—
The heat condensed tightly.
In a flash, the Flame Jade was conjured.
With all my might behind me, I launched it forward.
The jade sailed quickly, aimed precisely at the wall.
WHAM—! AAAAH—!!!
Upon impact, an explosive force erupted.
A heat wave of such magnitude that it could disintegrate bones poured out.
Is it over now?
‘Absolute nonsense.’
Such thoughts didn’t even cross my mind.
I shifted my focus in the opposite direction of the wall.
Swoosh—!
Turning my head slightly, just in time to feel a fist brush past my cheek.
Kwonseon was behind me, narrowly evading.
I barely registered it.
“This punk—!”
CRACK—! Kwonseon struck down hard on the ground, creating cracks everywhere.
The offensive continued relentlessly.
Countless punches filled my field of vision.
I twisted my body, blocking them one after another.
THUNK— BOOM—!!
Every punch sent vibrations thrumming through me.
‘Heavy as a rock.’
Kwonseon’s every hit was undeniably fierce; that much was accurate.
My grandmother was unexpectedly powerful for her age. A moment’s miscalculation could mean broken bones.
‘Did that last strike just catch?’
A sudden hit to the abdomen.
I shattered her self-defense but couldn’t manage a damaging blow.
Kwonseon reacted in that fleeting instant.
‘Very good.’
She truly is among the ten great masters.
There’s a clear distinction from random amateurs.
WHOOSH—!
“!”
I sensed an unusual pressure.
Amidst the flurry of punches, an unfamiliar sensation emanated from Kwonseon.
‘The flow of energy shifted.’
It felt like a movement that could’ve slipped past unnoticed.
It seemed she was collecting strength for a surprise execution.
‘Where is she?’
I gauged the position of Kwonseon while throwing my punches.
‘Found it.’
From her left shoulder down to her fist.
The energy flow spun oddly around that point.
I thought she might be a habitual right-hander all along, but it turns out she was left-handed.
‘What an oversight.’
It appeared she intended to mislead me into believing she favored her right. Quite meticulous, if I say so myself.
Now that I comprehend this, it’s a relief.
I squinted my eyes slightly as I shifted my legs backward.
I released tension in my waist and adjusted my angle.
Immediately, Kwonseon’s fist flew towards me.
BAAM! A powerful strike met my shoulder.
My stance became unsteady.
‘Hmm.’
The coolness swept through my shoulder, sending tingling sensations through my bones.
Given the effort I put into my defense, is this really it?
She’s undeniably strong.
But.
‘Is this the full extent?’
It wasn’t as shocking as I expected.
GASP!
As a gap opened, Kwonseon’s stance morphed, perhaps in an attempt to utilize her stored energy.
Soon, the concealed strength surged forth.
The energy coalesced at her fingertips, extending her arm.
Wuhosanjang (Wuhosong Palm).
A palm-shaped blast of force was about to be unleashed.
Wait, no, it was meant to be released.
BANG—!
“…!?”
Kwonseon’s martial skill didn’t manifest.
In that precise moment, I blocked her hand with my palm.
PRRRAAN—!!
The energy splintered and erupted in every direction.
A potent shockwave crashed as it radiated out.
“Gah!”
Kwonseon stumbled back, blood spilling forth.
It seemed her martial arts were hindered, twisting her qi and blood flow.
“… Huuh… Gasp.”
Kwonseon breathed heavily, looking upon me in horror whilst coughing up blood.
I had just managed to impede her martial arts in a rather reckless manner.
Just as her energy was on the brink of exploding, I drove a collision straight into it.
Such tactics often have both parties inflicted with wounds.
It’s a given that the attacker bears more harm.
‘Of course, that only holds if their power levels are comparable.’
A vast amount of energy offsets some of the resulting damage.
Of course, I too am not without internal injuries, but it’s within tolerable bounds.
Seeing Kwonseon teetering was not a reason to relax.
I was determined to keep going.
I extended my leg swiftly for an attack.
THUMP— Kwonseon quickly raised her arm for defense, but the shock seemed to stagger her.
‘Then once more.’
This time, I wrapped my fist with flames.
The Fiery Fist Technique.
As I struck Kwonseon, flames burst forth from my fist.
A blazing torrent—!!!
A firestorm engulfed the training area.
While watching the surroundings blaze, I quickly shifted my gaze.
I needed to identify her location.
The impact was strong, but Kwonseon vanished using the counterforce.
The flames obscured my sight; perhaps she planned to launch a counterstrike.
A sound strategy. The problem is.
‘You can’t escape my flames.’
This fire flows in tandem with my spirit.
Moving within it reveals every aspect of her position.
‘She should’ve extinguished the flames instead.’
I really regret this decision.
I extended my left arm.
VWOOSH—!
Guijeong responded, launching a cloth from my palm.
In a heartbeat, it plunged into the flames, transitioning seamlessly—SNAG!
“Huh!”
I seized Kwonseon as she navigated through the flames.
Pulling her back, WHOOSH—!! her frail form broke through the fire and reemerged.
Kwonseon hurriedly surged towards me.
As soon as I saw that, I launched my fist.
SMACK—!
“Cough…!!”
As she drew near, I struck her in the face. The force remained assertive.
Even after the blow to her face, Kwonseon continued to move. It seemed she sought to retaliate somehow.
With keen perception, I discharged another punch to her left shoulder.
WHAM—!
Her stance faltered.
That blunder caused Kwonseon to fail her counter.
‘Next, it’s the legs.’
Specifically, the right thigh.
The impact thwarted her movement and crushed her ankle.
Kwonseon collapsed.
I realigned my stance, driving my knee sharply into her core.
BANG—! The strike landed, compressing her strong energy.
“Phew!”
With a heave, Kwonseon spat blood.
I twisted my form to evade her reactions.
Having few outfits, I feared getting them dirty.
During my evasion, I utilized the momentum to kick her face.
THWACK—!
Her head jerked back. Blood splattered into the air as the energy enveloping her frame seemed to dissipate.
Untying the restraints that bound me, I exerted pressure against her chest with my foot.
SLAM—!
The propelled Kwonseon crashed forcefully against the wall.
Kwonseon lay sprawled on the floor; despite that, I didn’t ease up.
This too could be an act.
That thought lingered as I surveyed her condition.
“…”
As time ticked on, Kwonseon remained utterly still.
An interval of silence fell between us.
‘What’s this?’
I felt a curious menace and tilted my head slightly.
‘Surely, that can’t be?’
I squinted.
Could this really be the case?
Nonsense.
Just a tad longer to wait, but no change unfolded.
“… Is this for real?”
I approached the collapsed Kwonseon, gripping her hair and lifting her.
WHIP.
Her feeble body dangled devoid of energy.
Kwonseon’s face was a disaster zone.
Blood streamed from her nose and mouth, and she was breathing shallowly, as if teetering on the brink of death.
The scene looked like a ruin.
Given this sight, I would’ve burst out laughing.
I doubted its authenticity. I guess I was wrong.
An instant vacuum filled my core.
Nothing I hoped for transpired.
Frustrated, I turned to Kwonseon.
“Is this truly the end?”
Not an ounce of her appeared broken, bent, or marred.
Her inner organs seem entirely intact.
What on earth was this cheap battle?
As I reflected on the lackluster results, I snapped at Kwonseon.
“Are you messing with me? What happened to your so-called might?”
She’s one of the ten great masters of the Central Plains. Even if she’s not as robust as common belief, this is entirely underwhelming.
This shape was entirely distinct from what I anticipated.
A sight filled with utter disappointment.
I shook her hair gently, yet Kwonseon’s breathing merely dimmed further.
“No, old lady. Please, take a minute. Let’s fight again.”
It can’t end here.
Trying to sound persuasive—but—
SHIVER.
At my urging, Kwonseon didn’t awaken but merely quaked slightly.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.