The venue’s atmosphere began to cool down.
What did the people here anticipate?
They wanted to see the rising star in charge of Kangho’s future compete with everything they had.
There must be innocence in the face of shining youth, as seen in Kangho martial arts.
However, the scene in front of those gathered to watch the match was far from what they had expected.
‘What the hell is going on here?’
Nobody can hide their perplexity.
Chung Myung pushes Hye Yeon of Shaolin without even using his sword.
And one of the Seventy-Two Unique Martial Arts, Hundred Step Divine Fist, which represents Shaolin, was destroyed with his bare hands.
Of course, these facts are troubling.
The most surprising thing for those gathered here now was the heavy atmosphere that descended on that stage.
The onlookers were subtly weighed down by the heavy and gloomy atmosphere.
But it was nothing compared to the feelings of the Sect Leader on the podium.
“Hm.”
Heo Dojin finally couldn’t resist and groaned quietly.
– This is nothing compared to what Mount Hua has suffered.
Those words cut deep into Heo Dojin’s lungs.
He unknowingly looked around at his surroundings.
The person who looks at the stage as if they have no idea what’s happening. And, like Heo Dojin, the one who couldn’t hide their pain with a stabbed face.
The mix of the two types of people created a very subtle atmosphere.
But the Sect Leaders who seemed to know nothing about the context really surprised Heo Dojin.
‘Did they forget?’
Have so many forgotten already?
“Hoho.”
Heo Dojin grinned.
It’s only been a century.
Mount Hua was a thorny sect close to Heo Dojin’s heart. Although it is not visible from the outside, it stings whenever he sees them.
But…….
‘Isn’t there a sect that completely forgot instead of hiding it?’
Well, that’s a possibility.
Because ‘that’ would not have been conveyed. Because ‘that’ they wouldn’t have been told.
It couldn’t have been easy to convey their dirty deeds entirely to future generations. Moreover, Mount Hua was in a state of collapse. If they just shut their mouth and passed away, they think the sect’s dirty deeds would be buried altogether.
Mount Hua, however, crawled back up in despair.
And now they’re inquiring.
Are you truly proud of everything you’ve accomplished?
Really?
Heo Dojin slowly shook his head. His gaze was fixed on Chung Myung, who couldn’t bear his rage.
That rage.
That bitterness.
How can he not comprehend?
What if Heo Dojin found himself in the same situation as Chung Myung?
What if Wudang gave his life to save the world, and the world that benefited from it turned a blind eye and ignored him? What if they are on the verge of extinction?
There’s nothing more to think about.
‘I would have become Ashura.’
He would have sold his soul to the devil to condemn and destroy the Ten Great Sect.
He can see Mount Hua’s determination to walk its path. It is extremely difficult for someone who has been rejected and alienated to walk the right path without cursing the other person.
And…….
‘The anger that has been pressed down must be exploding through that child now.’
“Amitabha……. Amitabha.”
A cold voice penetrated into the left ear of Heo Dojin.
“I don’t think he just said that to Shaolin.”
He turned his head slightly.
Tang Gunak, the head of the Tang Family, opened his mouth again, staring at the stage with a cold face.
“Of course, in the position of Sect Leader, there are times when you have to turn your head knowing what has happened. But if your heart doesn’t tingle when you turn your head, you don’t deserve to be part of Righteous Sect.”
Those harsh words dampened the mood on the podium.
Those who were aware of the circumstances remained silent because they were aware, and those who were unaware of the circumstances did not open their mouths because they were unaware.
They just stared at Chung Myung, feeling crushed.
“Get up.”
Hye Yeon instinctively flinched at the low-pitched voice and got his body up.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
‘Hundred Steps Divine Fist doesn’t work.’
It’s something he has never thought about.
Divine Fist. (신권(神拳).)
Literally, a martial art that contains Divinity.
Break down mountains and separate the sea.
However, the power to destroy mountains, and slashes that cut the sea, was torn apart helplessly in front of that unidentified red energy.
His eyes began to shake at a loss.
“Get into position.”
“…….”
The voice piercing through his ears seemed to freeze his heart.
The obvious chill in the voice brought out emotions that Hye Yeon had never felt before.
‘This is…’
Fear.
He had never felt a feeling since growing up in Shaolin’s arms. The gruesome fear stiffened his whole body.
“Your shoulders are stiff.”
“…….”
“Hey.”
Chung Myung revealed his teeth.
“Can’t you hear me? Your shoulders are stiff.”
“Ah…….”
Only then did Hye Yeon flinch and come to her senses and look at his condition.
‘Thi- This… … .’
There was a lot of strength in his whole body. To the point where muscles shrink and harden like rocks.
Ttok.
Sweat dripped down his chin onto the stage.
“I don’t want to hear excuses like I couldn’t show my skills because I was nervous.”
Hye Yeon looked blankly at Chung Myung.
“Spread it out. Show me everything you can. I think that’s how my anger will go away.”
Hye Yeon’s head is all messed up.
‘What the hell is he talking about?’
He doesn’t understand.
Why is he so angry?
And how can a person radiate that much coldness from their whole being?
No, more than anything…….
Bam!
At that moment, Chung Myung briefly advanced. Hye Yeon ran reflexively toward Chung Myung without even organizing his thoughts.
“Taaaat!”
The face was now slightly distorted after being hardened.
He is standing with Shaolin’s pride on his shoulders. No one in Shaolin doubts that he will knock down the opponent and win.
Shaolin’s expectations are on his shoulders.
The sect that leads the world is Shaolin no matter what anyone says. Those who carry the world on their backs cannot be like others.
So he can’t lose.
He must not!
Paaang!
His fist, which was thrown in the air, burst the air and created a sharp sound of waves.
Extremely fast punch.
A fist full of strong energy flew toward Chung Myung’s face as if it would destroy everything that touched it.
But Chung Myung just stared at Hye Yeon with cold eyes until the fist almost touched his face.
Tak.
Chung Myung’s palm touched the fist that flew right in front of his face.
It was only lightly pushed out with a force that was not very strong, but Hye Yeon’s fist soon lost its momentum and burst into the air.
But this time, Hye Yeon wasn’t surprised either.
He already understands for sure that the opponent’s skills have reached a point where he can never be underestimated.
Hye Yeon turned his body with the axis of the fist that burst into the air and immediately kicked Chung Myung’s side. Among Arhat Fist, it was a method called Prostate Tiger Leg (복호퇴(伏虎腿)).
Took!
But Chung Myung’s fist hit Hye Yeon’s chest precisely before the foot could turn. The folded leg that wasn’t able to stretch straight was thrown back in vain without being able to muster up the strength.
The three consecutive strikes followed. (삼연퇴(三聯腿).)
Chung Myung’s feet kicked Hye Yeon’s thighs, sides, and shoulders one after another, which had yet taken position.
In the midst of the confrontation, Hye Yeon somehow blocked the feet that flew to his thighs and sides, but he had no choice but to allow a blow to his shoulder.
Ppaak!
The pain as if struck by a large iron club hit his shoulder and made his whole body numb.
“Keuk!”
Hye Yeon bit his lips tightly. Then he tried to counterattack.
But Chung Myung’s feet once again flew faster toward his face.
Swaeaek!
Chung Myung’s feet brushed right over Hye Yeon’s head, who bent down desperately.
It feels like his hair is burning.
But Hye Yeon was Hye Yeon. There was no way he was just being beaten.
Hye Yeon, who quickly touched the ground with his hands, spread his energy to perform Arhat Fist and raised his hand to Chung Myung’s chin as if he were rotating.
Paaang!
Hye Yeon’s fist slides past Chung Myung’s chin.
‘I know you’d avoid it.’
Hye Yeon bit his lips tightly.
Avoid. He will definitely be able to avoid it. However, he will not be able to handle the consecutive attack that follows with his back bent.
Hye Yeon threw himself forward and smashed open Chung Myung’s chest.
Kuung!
Chung Myung, who crossed his arms, blocked Hye Yeon’s shoulder but was pushed back as if it could not completely relieve the power contained in it.
“Haaap!”
Kuuung!
The ground broke, Hye Yeon stepped forward, and a magnificent fiery glow shot from his toes.
Soon after, his body rose from the ground and flew toward Chung Myung at a formidable speed.
“Supreme Kick!” (무상각(無上脚))
Heo Dojin shouted and opened his eyes wide.
That seemingly insignificant kick is one of Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Unique Martial Art, the Supreme Kick.
Shaolin’s martial art, pursuing the Dharma in its simplicity, may look plain on the outside, but they contain a profound force (무리(武理)) within.
Hye Yeon, flying like a hawk gliding toward its prey, kicked Chung Myung’s head with fiery feet.
Kwaaa!
The strong energy that poured out swept Chung Myung’s upper body with a sound as if a waterfall were pouring.
It didn’t end there. Hye Yeon immediately floated himself into the air with the recoil.
Uuuung!
The body of Hye Yeon, who took Half-Palm Stance, was colored with bright gold.
“Amitabha!”
The entire energy was pushed forward like a fantasy by Hye Yeon, who chanted loudly.
“That!”
All those who recognized martial arts jumped out of their seats.
“No way!”
“Oh my gosh…!”
Heo Dojin glared at Hye Yeon with bloodshot eyes.
A groan-like voice came out of his mouth.
“Buddha’s Palm?” (여래신장(如來神掌) / Remind me of Kungfu Hustle)
Even in Shaolin, no one has mastered that martial art within 100 years. It is the highest art among the Seventy-Two Unique Martial Art.
Did he even master that?
It was clearly seen that the golden hand from Hye Yeon’s brilliance expanded much larger than humans in an instant.
It was as if the Buddha (여래(如來)), who had descended into this world, was teaching directly with his own hands. The figure of the giant palm covered Chung Myung’s body, which had been pushed out.
Kwaaaang!
The whole stage explodes.
The solid blue stone literally broke into pieces and scattered in all directions.
The spectators watching were struck by lightning in the dry sky. Broken blue stones were poured out on the audience.
“Argh!”
“Escape!”
The masters who were watching the match among the crowd bounced and kicked out debris that soared into the air.
Some of the debris was completely unstoppable and locked to the audience seat, but fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Despite the uproar, the surroundings did not become noisy.
Far from making a fuss, the spectator held their breath even more and could not take their eyes off the stage.
It is only natural.
How dare anyone look away at the scene that unfolds on the stage?
“……Oh my gosh.”
A stage is huge enough for several hundred to stand on. On the gigantic stage made of blue stone indescribably hard, huge handprints were engraved as if a Heavenly God had struck it down.
‘Is that a man’s martial art?’
‘… … This is the power of the Shaolin.’
In front of the power of Buddha Palm recreated using Hye Yeon’s body, everyone who watched was at a loss for words.
They had no choice but to realize how Shaolin had maintained its position for hundreds of years as the northern head of Kangho.
Even Mount Hua’s disciples were stunned. They alternately watched the smashed stage and Hye Yeon with blank eyes.
Then someone murmured quietly.
“…What about Chung Myung?”
All of Mount Hua’s disciples flinched and looked back at the words.
Yoon Jong was screaming at the stage with shaking eyes.
“Chu- Chung Myung……!”
“Quiet.”
However, a cold word stopped Yoon Jong.
It was Baek Chun.
He sat with a stiff face staring at the stage.
“Sasuk!”
“Be quiet.”
Baek Chun chewed out.
“Look at Hye Yeon’s face.”
After seeing only the handprints and dust on the stage, they turned to Hye Yeon.
And then they realized.
‘Is he sick?’
Blue?
If it was a person who exuded that kind of power and tension, it would be natural to stand with an elated face. Even if he acts arrogant, no one will be able to point fingers at him.
But Hye Yeon’s face is blue as if he were being chased by something.
In other words.
Deulssok.
The wreckage of the broken blue stone seemed to be shaking, and Chung Myung slowly rose from under it.
“Ptoo!”
Then he spat out blood-stained saliva and brushed his loose hair. The disheveled hair fell back and the ghastly eyes were revealed.
Twitch.
Upon receiving the glare, Hye Yeon shrank and stepped back.
“Huuk…….”
His body was drenched in sweat, and now he couldn’t even try to hide his fear.
Buddha Palm.
A mere human can’t withstand its power if it is fully unfolded. No, it should have been impossible.
But…….
But how can he stand up straight like that?
Udeudeuk. Udeudeuk.
Chung Myung slowly walks out of the wreckage. Crushed stones were trampled on his feet, creating a gruesome sound as if a bone were broken.
“I enjoyed it.”
Chung Myung smiles with his teeth exposed.
Blood drips down his head and soaks his face. There was no other way to express the sight of a blood-soaked face and white teeth except for the word creepy.
“So…….”
Chung Myung stretched his hand to the side.
The broken stones were shaking, and Chung Myung’s Plum Sword, which had been buried in them, was caught in Chung Myung’s hand as if flying.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Seureuruk.
The Plum Sword pulled out slowly, very slowly.
Tong!
Chung Myung, who threw the scabbard to the ground, hung the Plum Sword in his hand down and looked up at the sky.
‘Cheon Mun Sahyung.’
‘Don’t say I’m childish.’
‘I don’t think what I’m doing right now is very mature either.’
But.
It’s just…
Chung Myung closes his eyes slightly.
Short silence.
The moment he opened his eyes again.
The sword in his hand began to draw soft curves like an illusion.
A beautiful curve that draws everyone’s attention.
Blessed be our hard working translators. I’m going to be mashing my F5 key to the point of exploding off my keyboard in anticipation of the upcoming climax of the tournament arc.
This is the first time i cried in a battle scene, such amazing writing, i could feel the emotion through the screen 😭 thank you translator nim, i love u so much