Chapter: 750
Bam-!
Ugh!
As Peng Zhou was getting beaten to a pulp, everyone in the palace was speechless at the sight.
“…What is happening here?”
“No matter how you look at it, that…!”
Everyone’s eyes were fixated there.
To be precise, it was not the Dao King, who was now a bloody mess, but rather the young man who was ruthlessly dismantling him.
This young man had become the most famous figure in Hanam recently, drawing the attention of countless martial artists.
He had instantly claimed the title of the next world’s champion that Shinryong had previously held, and with his revealing of hidden powers, his value soared high in an instant.
Overwhelming strength and achievements that didn’t match his age.
Seeing such a youth caused people to question, labeling him as a monster.
He had once been referred to as the youngest painter.
After the Shinryongguan raid, the boy known as Jinryong transformed into Soyeomra.
There had been talks at the time that he had ascended to Hwagyeong.
However, that rumor faded when Meng Yi recognized Shinryong as the youngest Hwagyeong.
Could that be the reason?
There were whispers in the area that Soyeomra didn’t actually reach Hwagyeong back then.
The issue was, if this were the case, how did Meng Yi come to recognize Shinryong as the youngest Hwagyeong?
Such questions swirled around, but they felt irrelevant now.
What’s important is…
“What on earth is that entity over there?”
Because Soyeomra was now nothing short of astonishing.
“…The Dao King is getting beaten up so miserably?”
In the pavilion.
This was a place where the upper-level leaders of prestigious families, clan chiefs, and heads of influential sects gathered.
Each was responsible for a region or played significant roles within their sects.
Bearing this in mind, they all looked at Soyeomra without an ounce of composure.
“Didn’t we say Soyeomra was over a certain age?”
“I saw it in the confrontation with Shinryong… But that’s just too much!”
It was abundantly clear that this was too much.
This was the collective sentiment that emerged when considering Soyeomra.
At such an age, it was unprecedented to touch Hwagyeong, with Shinryong being the only exception, but what Soyeomra was currently displaying exceeded all expectations.
The level of mastery was entirely different.
If Shinryong had barely reached Hwagyeong and was just taking his first steps, Soyeomra was already soaring and performing acrobatics.
Against the Dao King, there was simply no sign of retreat.
Bang-!!
The atmosphere was thick with uncertainty.
The energy that exploded affected the entire pavilion.
Dao King Peng Zhou.
Although there were whispers that his martial prowess was lacking compared to his reputation, he was undoubtedly a martial artist of Hwagyeong.
And yet, here was Peng Zhou staggering, bleeding, after being struck by Soyeomra’s mighty fist.
Rebellion? Impossible.
This didn’t resemble a contest of martial arts; it was sheer, one-sided violence.
“…What do we even call that?”
One of the spectators uttered those words.
No one could provide an answer.
How should one even describe this?
Could one even dare use the term genius?
It seemed too inadequate to label him a monster as well.
Soyeomra’s current appearance was certainly deserving of such praise.
“…This makes absolutely no sense.”
Is it possible that this is merely an illusion or a strange dream?
If it’s a phantom, it would be a grotesque sight. If a dream, it would be nothing short of a nightmare.
Indeed, this was a nightmare for the countless martial artists present.
There’s simply no way such an existence could exist.
To utterly topple the Dao King so overwhelmingly? Isn’t that nonsensical?
As they shared these thoughts, all that escaped their lips were stunned silence.
“Tch, tch.”
From one corner, someone chuckled, an old man with a head full of white hair.
He was the head of the Hwasan faction and one of the top ten masters, Plum Blossom.
“That kid has a knack for astonishing people every time we meet.”
I had thought I was surprised enough during the last duel with Shinryong.
This battle against the Dao King, however, was exceeding even those surprises.
‘Just how much is he hiding?’
What exactly is this child concealing?
It’s not merely pure potential and brilliance—there seems to be so much more.
‘Is he truly the child of that father?’
Or perhaps, should we regard him as the grandson of his grandfather?
Regardless, it felt as if attributing anything to him was a diminutive task.
However, Plum Blossom considered merely witnessing the present to be enough.
‘I’ve laid eyes on a new era.’
An era that lies ahead.
A sense of being at the epicenter of it all.
Indeed.
This child is the nucleus. No matter what kind of era unfolds, that child will most likely stand at its core or lead the charge.
Just witnessing this progression felt sufficient.
At that moment, Plum Blossom came to a realization.
“By the look on your face, it seems like you’re having another private moment, aren’t you?”
“…”
Plum Blossom turned his head at the voice that interrupted him.
Then, he covered his nose and remarked.
“Somehow… there’s a whiff of something weird…”
“Huh? What?”
“Nothing much, just random musings.”
“I heard you loud and clear. It’s not ‘nothing’ at all…”
Ark of Openness, Woo Bong-chui, shook his head at Plum Blossom’s reaction.
“Well, since all your disciples have been eliminated… It’s understandable if you’re not fond of the situation.”
“…”
Plum Blossom’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sarcastic jibe.
As Woo Bong-chui noted, everyone from Hwasan who had participated in the martial arts contest had indeed been eliminated.
While some of it could be attributed to matchups, it was also due to deliberately bringing along students not yet fully mature.
With Youngpung—the last warrior standing—also eliminated, Hwasan’s representation in the martial arts tournament was now non-existent.
That’s precisely what Woo Bong-chui remarked so pointedly.
After feeling slightly uncomfortable for a moment, Plum Blossom broke into a faint smile.
“What’s this? Why the laughter—”
“Well, isn’t it better than not getting to participate at all?”
“…What do you mean?”
At Plum Blossom’s words, Woo Bong-chui frowned again.
In reality, not a single one from their ranks had attended the martial arts competition.
The reason for that being…
“Don’t you know that as members of the sect, participating in the martial arts competition is off-limits?”
Gaebong is directly associated with the Murim Alliance, hence the prohibition on participation.
“Hmm, but even if they did participate… I doubt the outcomes would be favorable…”
What could beggars really showcase in a fight?
With that, Plum Blossom dug into his thoughts with elegance.
“…”
At that moment, Woo Bong-chui was grinding his teeth in frustration.
Thud—!!
Once again, the focus shifted as a loud noise erupted.
“Ha ha, looks like it’s over.”
At Plum Blossom’s cheerful quip, Woo Bong-chui clicked his tongue in response.
“…Shall we meet later?”
“Oh my, regrettably… I have too much to commit to today… heh heh heh.”
Bam-!!
Even while exchanging such trivial banter, their eyes remained glued on the stage.
They witnessed a middle-aged man with a massive build collapsing.
His face was now so swollen that recognition was impossible.
Dao King Peng Zhou, utterly defeated, lost consciousness on the floor.
“…In the end, this affair…”
“Did he really win?”
The spectators collectively gasped at the spectacle unfolding.
The Dao King had been bested by a youth far younger than he.
The fact solidified in their minds left many biting their lips.
If this occurred, monumental changes were inevitable.
For even Peng Zhou’s family stood on the brink of a significant catastrophe.
Moreover, it served as the catalyst for what would become a colossal upheaval in the Central Plains.
While contemplating the aftermath, everyone couldn’t help but be taken aback and lost in deep thoughts.
-Sa, Sanseo-gu is Guyangcheon… S, Seung…
Just as the referee was about to declare Soyeomra the victor…
“…!”
“…Huh!”
Clang-Clang—!! Clang-Clang Clang-Clang—!!
Suddenly, within the pavilion, warriors began to grasp their swords.
“…What’s this…”
An intensely sharpened energy swirled around.
Given their expertise, it seemed everyone sensed the same ominous presage.
“Woo Bong. What’s going on here…?”
Plum Blossom felt no different.
Just as he was about to call out to the Ark of Openness, a heavy silence fell upon him.
Woohh—!!
Rumble—!!!
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and a vibration started surging around them.
“Ugh!”
“What the—!!”
Rumble—!!!
Was it an earthquake that had suddenly struck?
As everyone flailed in confusion, unable to maintain their balance…
“…What is that…”
The few who managed to steady themselves…
Among those stood the Sword Emperor, Jinryunggeomje, with widened eyes gazing into the distance.
High above, something began to shroud the clear sky.
Ziiiiing—!!!
A massive, scarlet line extended across the sky.
How could something like that appear against the backdrop of heaven?
The long, radiant line that engulfed the sky began connecting almost instantaneously.
Something was taking form slowly but surely.
While the inspector was trying to detect it, another occurrence unfolded.
Whoosh—!!
“Whoa!”
“What, what in the world is that…!!”
An unexpected curtain appeared, enveloping the vicinity of the pavilion.
A crimson curtain that floated like the line in the sky.
Watching the unknown covering begin to ensconce the pavilion, a few individuals inside sprang into action.
Swish—!!
The elite fighters of Hwasan.
And alongside them, the head of the alliance, Geomseon, moved simultaneously, swinging their swords as one.
Boom—!!
Three teenage masters combined their strengths, unleashing a torrent of sword energy.
A tremendous force surged towards the curtain. Under normal circumstances, it would have been enough to obliterate the entire area.
Bam—!!
Yet, when the sword energy collided against the curtain, it faded away without leaving even a scratch.
Now…
Woosh—!!
The entire pavilion was engulfed in a crimson light, unable to resist the impending curtain.
It was an utterly unforeseen sequence of events.
The inspector, realizing this, contorted his brows deeply.
Not just the inspector; everyone present knew instinctively.
Right now….
In this very place, something was brewing in Hanam.
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