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0167 ———————————————-

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

Lee Kwang and Yong Bi-cheon stood facing each other in the midst of Changhe Street.

They glared at each other for a while, and one could see from a distance that their arm muscles were tensed as if ready to burst. It was evident that their fighting spirit was ablaze. Yong Bi-cheon narrowed his eyes and said,

“What a surprise to see a little brat like you standing before me again.”

“You did stab me back then. Don’t you remember?”

Lee Kwang raised his spear, pointing it at Yong Bi-cheon’s face.

“I seem to have carved that scar on your cheek myself.”

At that, Yong Bi-cheon frowned and replied,

“I remember that you fell to Manjangan Cliff, beaten to a pulp for the price you paid.”

“Well, it was tough back then.”

There seemed to be a significant grudge between them. Lee Kwang, who replied casually about the past, grinned deeply.

“Today, that wound won’t be the end of it.”

And Yong Bi-cheon smiled back.

“Who says so…”

Sssss

I tightened my gaze on the sparring arena.

Lee Kwang’s spear was suffused with an intense electric energy, and Yong Bi-cheon’s entire body radiated a storm-like force. They exuded an aura as if they had become the essence of natural spirit energy itself.

The next moment –

The strongest of the Thunder God Lineage and Wind Spirit Sect clashed. I held my breath, witnessing the series of events from the first strike to the end. A battle between those who had surpassed peak experts was a sight rarely seen, even for a king’s ransom.

Lee Kwang’s speed in that fleeting moment was already way faster than mine without even triggering Thunderclap. Perhaps it was because he executed the Soul Removal Technique, but it was due to his Light Body Technique being already at an expert level, allowing no waste at all.

In the blink of an eye, as Lee Kwang split his breaths into ten segments, he pierced Yong Bi-cheon’s form with a thrust. In an even shorter moment, Lee Kwang spun three times, and within an even shorter moment, I could see three ultimate techniques linked together.

Puhwack

It seemed that the Wind Spirit Sect’s Dharma Guardian, Yong Bi-cheon, quickly created a clone to evade the attack, but his expression showed he was clearly baffled. He appeared to have dodged completely, but a deep scar had formed on his forearm. It indicated that he had avoided Lee Kwang’s first strike but had only narrowly missed it.

“Oh my!”

I felt a chill run down my spine as I observed the scene. Some might wonder what was so impressive about grazing him in the initial duel, but I knew how powerful Yong Bi-cheon could become when he truly focused.

Even I, using Thunderclap, struggled to keep pace with a speed that made distinguishing between his real body and his clones impossible. Plus, since the illusions accelerated, it was nearly impossible to catch up with Yong Bi-cheon. It was only when I risked my life using Great Destruction that I could even keep close.

However, it meant that Lee Kwang, without using Thunderclap yet, comprehended Yong Bi-cheon’s true form perfectly and attacked at a speed where he couldn’t use his illusions to evade. This meant that Lee Kwang’s capabilities were enough to easily overpower the Dharma Guardian in the distance.

Pabam!

In the next moment, Yong Bi-cheon’s form split into five. Then came his shout.

“How about this!”

Wind Spirit Sect’s secret technique

Wind Demon Elimination

It was not a simple clone, but each one seemed to breathe and pulse, becoming substantial, manifesting in reality. I had once been relentlessly beaten by Yong Bi-cheon using Wind Demon Elimination, so just seeing it sent shivers down my spine. Even using merely 20% of its power could easily crush peak experts; what would happen if the main body used it?

“No way!”

The troublesome aspect of Wind Demon Elimination was that the entity did not reveal itself until just before the attack. It switched positions between the real body and the clone in extremely brief moments, making counterattacks impossible. Yong Bi-cheon waved his hand, creating even more clones, and soon the number of clones swelled to nearly 40.

[Ultimate Blood Wind Divine Art!!]

The secret technique of the Wind Spirit Sect that could unleash a single individual through one’s own fist! I remembered vividly how I was battered by hundreds of blows during that attack, and I shivered. Without even using full power, it was a technique that could wipe out peak experts with ease; what would happen if the main body unleashed it?

“Get out!!”

It was the moment when Yong Bi-cheon’s clones surrounded Lee Kwang, charging in unison.

As if time itself stood still – I felt Lee Kwang’s smirk. It resembled that moment when he fought against the Master of the Twelve Joules.

“Rudimentary technique.”

Zing

Lee Kwang lightly swept his spear sideways. His movement seemed to break the very fabric of space, leading me to conclude that I could hardly chase after him. The form of Lee Kwang appeared, as if superimposed on space, emitting a tremendous pressure as he surged forward.

Lightning shattered the space.

Overwhelming electric energy resonated.

From the basic technique of Lee Kwang’s Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear, the Heavenly Thunder Wolf Magic flowed out, creating a sweeping arc. Simultaneously, ten of Yong Bi-cheon’s wind bullets that had rushed in exploded, and Lee Kwang did not pause, scattering the Thunder Shadow as if dancing.

Puffifuff!

Boom

As Lee Kwang took his final step, the center of Wind Demon Elimination was entirely penetrated, and all the clones were blown away without a trace. It was like the compelling step of the Thunder God exerting overwhelming force.

Until just moments ago, Yong Bi-cheon, who was unleashing the Ultimate Blood Wind Divine Art, retreated to the end of the arena with his fist drawn, blood streaming from his hand. He had managed to barely block Lee Kwang’s attack, but his Protection Energy Technique had been shattered. Yong Bi-cheon stared at his fist in disbelief and said,

“Thunder… There was such a technique in the Thunder God Lineage? No way.”

“Pfft. Naturally, it wasn’t in the conventional Thunder God Lineage.”

Lee Kwang slowly took a step forward and continued,

“This is an ultimate technique I developed over the last two months. I’ll call it… Heavenly Contraction.”

From Lee Kwang’s nonchalant tone, I realized he hadn’t even properly thought of a name until now. I was baffled by the fact.

“What?! Is it still unfinished?”

As Lee Kwang researched Jang Sam-bong’s insights over the past two months, he hadn’t been the only one to grow stronger. Lee Kwang, originally a genius in martial arts, seemed to have derived the essence from the Heavenly Contraction Sword and Bowing Sky Slash, giving birth to a new ultimate technique, Heavenly Contraction. But the fact that he had just given it a name now indicated that Heavenly Contraction wasn’t fully complete and still in development. Imagining what kind of power it would possess once completed was unimaginable.

As Lee Kwang spoke, Jin So-cheong licked her lips.

“You seem to be quite relaxed. You should have even better ultimate techniques to settle this…”

“……”

I quickly turned to Jin So-cheong and asked,

“Older Brother, what do you mean? Is there an ultimate technique stronger than Heavenly Contraction?”

“Well, my disciple, I intended to tell you after the sparring match, but I can just say it now.”

Jin So-cheong continued.

“Originally, the spear techniques of the Thunder God Lineage were capped at Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear. However, due to the new martial arts insights passed down by my master, both he and I have observed a new horizon in spear techniques. With some discussion, I’m confident we can establish a new form of spear technique evolved beyond Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear.”

“What?!”

“For now, let’s observe and see how it unfolds. I’ll explain in detail later.”

I had no choice but to hold my breath.

An evolved Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear!

What kind of martial art could that possibly be?

While I passionately imagined it in my mind, Yong Bi-cheon, who was standing on the sparring arena, had a furious look. He glared sharply at Lee Kwang and said,

“Your spear techniques possess the ability to suppress space, huh? Did you incorporate repulsive force?”

“What are you going to do knowing that? After all, there should be no decent technique in the Wind Spirit Sect that can counter this.”

Lee Kwang snapped back aloofly and suddenly unleashed Lightning Cloud Palm.

Kuquakwang!!

A cloud of dust swirled, and a massive explosion and bolt of lightning rained down. Normally, even for Lee Kwang, using Lightning Cloud Palm required a slight buildup of energy, but now he seemed to fire it off in a single shot. Perhaps because he had unleashed a signature technique without warning, Lee Kwang’s complexion paled; however, Yong Bi-cheon bore an even greater loss.

“Ugh.”

Lee Kwang kept executing Heavenly Contraction, flashing like a thunder god. After every flash, an explosion occurred, sending Yong Bi-cheon’s real body flying.

Yong Bi-cheon retreated, repeatedly unleashing his Protection Energy Technique, his considerable internal power struggling to withstand the formidable strength of Lightning Cloud Palm. Soon, he was sweating profusely, his veins popping out, and as his opportunity dwindled, Lee Kwang charged in.

Lee Kwang’s spear raged fiercely, carving apart the very flow of time. The sound that came it was a sign of an unassailable repulsion and attraction swirling around, indicating that Yong Bi-cheon could no longer endure.

Kugugugugu

Suddenly, a giant whirlwind and storm seemed to whip across the sparring arena. As Yong Bi-cheon gathered his strength, a whirlwind wrapped around him, and soon he was lifted into the air by a typhoon. Lee Kwang paused his assault and retreated, saying,

“Is that the power of Heavenly Spirit Pill?!”

[Indeed. You, a mere insect, could never reach such heights!]

Yong Bi-cheon shouted with pride, fists brimming with seething rage.

[Accept this!]

In the midst of the typhoon, space warped, and wind bullets began to materialize from all around. Each wind bullet was about the size of several men, and upon seeing them, chills crept down my spine. Those wind bullets had killed Miho. Just one was fatal, and now nearly fifty were suspended in the air.

Then, the wind bullets fell to the ground with tremendous speed. With the added acceleration, the speed made it nearly impossible for peak experts to react. One of the wind bullets sliced past Lee Kwang’s horizontal strike, soaring away.

Kuwaquakwank

“……!!”

The wind bullet that flew far collided with a mountain peak about ten miles away, utterly demolishing it. If there were signs of destruction from that distance, it meant the actual impact radius would easily scatter hundreds of feet upon striking. Such devastating power could easily consume Miho’s nine lives in an instant.

Naturally, the Huashan Sect disciples watching on were horrified, panic sweeping over them.

“Woaaah!!”

“Help! Someone!”

They panicked and began to flee the observation seats like the trained experts they were. Even the elders of the Huashan Sect were readying themselves to lead the retreat without trying to stop others. After all, at that level, it was beyond martial arts, akin to a natural disaster. Who would want to be annihilated by those wind bullets?

“Hmm…”

Lee Kwang, standing at one side of the sparring arena, silently gazed at the storm created by the wind bullets. Then he raised his internal energy and called out a Lion’s Roar towards the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

[Master! If I take his arm, will you acknowledge this duel as my victory?]

Startled murmurs arose from those seated in the observation area, glancing over at the Master of the White Lotus Sect. The two Dharma Guardians didn’t react, and after a moment of silence, the Master of the White Lotus Sect responded in a deep voice.

[If you can.]

Tension flooded the atmosphere.

Yong Bi-cheon of the Wind Spirit Sect had summoned a typhoon from Heavenly Spirit Pill’s power, which continued to swell until it almost consumed the arena. Additionally, it reached up to the clouds, and the wind bullets awaited their launch. It seemed impossible for human martial arts to overcome such a situation, so what was he planning to do?

Sssss

Then, Lee Kwang slowly lowered his spear, gripping an unusual spear form that did not exist within Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear. His posture was almost like he was preparing an assault rifle, solely focused on charging forward, resembling a reckless stance designed for mutual destruction. Upon seeing that pose, Yong Bi-cheon unleashed his wrathful Thunder God intent.

[You! Don’t make me laugh and just die!!]

Countless wind bullets, which had filled the sky, poured down on Lee Kwang all at once. It was a barrage that appeared impossible to evade, and if those wind bullets rained down, it seemed certain that not only Lee Kwang but those nearby from the Thunder God Lineage would meet their end.

“Whoops.”

In that moment, Lee Kwang’s figure flickered and vanished, and I felt as if I was suddenly pushed aside.

‘Thunderclap?’

Kuwakwaquang

It was over in a flash. When I regained my senses, countless disciples of the Thunder God Lineage had been launched far outside the range of the wind bullets. It seemed like Jin So-cheong had used Thunderclap to instantaneously move us all together.

As I looked up towards the Heavenly Spirit Pill, a Reverse Scale appeared!

It was as if the Thunder God painted a stroke through the sky, leaving a wound. Lee Kwang had ascended to the height of the clouds, completely executing the spear technique. Shortly after, the surrounding winds that had once been a storm created by Yong Bi-cheon dissipated completely.

Pahh

“Ugh!!”

Yong Bi-cheon coughed violently, his left arm severed and flying through the air. Remarkably, Lee Kwang had torn through Yong Bi-cheon’s defenses while leaving a gigantic Thunder Seal in the heavens! Lee Kwang then leaped and grabbed Yong Bi-cheon’s severed arm before landing back down.

The once menacing wind bullets that had created chaos now seemed to be a joke, with Yong Bi-cheon barely managing to hover in the air in a disheveled state. Yong Bi-cheon glared at Lee Kwang with a horrified expression.

“You brat…!!”

Lee Kwang didn’t seem in a much better condition. Having summoned Thunderclap instantaneously, his internal power appeared strained, and his face had gone pale. However, since he had severed Yong Bi-cheon’s arm as promised, it was crystal clear who the victor of this duel was. If the fight continued as is, the internally strained Lee Kwang would lose, but for this brief encounter, Lee Kwang had triumphed.

Of course, the Master of the White Lotus Sect would not be oblivious to that fact. A moment later, the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s profound Thunder God voice echoed over the peaks of Huangshan.

[The Thunder God Lineage has emerged victorious.]

“Master…!!”

Yong Bi-cheon looked toward the Master of the White Lotus Sect in protest, but the Master merely sighed lightly and said,

[Pathetic Yong Bi-cheon. Won’t you come down already?]

“I’m not finished yet…”

[So winning by borrowing the power of Heavenly Spirit Pill is considered honorable for a duel…? I must have misjudged you.]

“It’s not… but…”

It was then.

As Yong Bi-cheon kept arguing in defiance, the Master of the White Lotus Sect seemed incensed and seemingly flicked his finger from behind him.

Kuu-bam!

“……!!”

In an instant, with a mere gesture from the Master of the White Lotus Sect, Yong Bi-cheon, who had been holding on against Lee Kwang’s ultimate technique, was flung to the ground.

“Ugh…”

Yong Bi-cheon screamed as he coughed up blood.

No one, including me and even Jin So-cheong, could comprehend what had just transpired. How on earth could anyone so effortlessly bring down a Dharma Guardian from the air?

Yong Bi-cheon, who was prone on the ground, appeared more battered than after losing an arm; he seemed to shiver as he lay there. He got up and knelt before the Master.

[I have committed a grave sin. Please forgive me!]

The Master responded,

[Get organized.]

[Your Excellency!]

And that concluded the duel.

A little while later, the sparring arena of the Huashan Sect, once chaotic from Yong Bi-cheon’s wind bullets and storms, began to calm down, and the evacuated people started to gather. Before the assembled crowd, the Master of the White Lotus Sect solemnly declared our Thunder God Lineage disciples.

[The Thunder God Lineage has emerged victorious. We will keep our promise and extend the provisional faction of the Thunder God Lineage for another ten years.]

We did it!

We were ready to cheer with joy over our hard-won victory.

At that moment, suddenly, Mangnyang leapt forward and spoke while performing a bow.

“Master! I had intended to convey that clue later via letter, but I believe it would be better to say it right here.”

[Hmm…? Go ahead and speak.]

Originally, the negotiation condition was that the Huashan Sect would negotiate with the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Thunder God Lineage, and in exchange for recognizing the Thunder God Lineage’s faction, they would later pass on the method to cure the Young Master Choi’s strange disease. Mangnyang’s sudden interjection seemed somewhat abrupt, but the Master looked surprised and paid attention to him. Then, Mangnyang murmured a secret transmission, and the Master appeared to listen calmly.

A moment later, the Master said,

[You’re quite bold. Where does such confidence stem from?]

“I’m simply inspired by the brilliance of the White Lotus Sect and doing my best.”

[Good… I’ll accept those conditions. I will send someone later.]

“I am deeply grateful.”

Whiiiii

Moments later, the Master’s palanquin and the entourage of Dharma Guardians departed from the Huashan Sect. Shockingly, even the six bearers of the palanquin seemed to possess skills above peak experts, demonstrating extraordinary prowess. I stood back, with disbelief washing over me as I watched the back of the Master’s palanquin retreating far away.

“What on earth are those bearers?”

“They’re experts from the Elder Council of the White Lotus Sect.”

Lee Kwang answered nonchalantly, as if he had just finished gathering his internal energy. When I turned back to Lee Kwang, he whispered softly,

“Those guys are a real headache.”

“Haha, it would be troublesome to say that so openly here.”

As we exchanged glances, the leader of the Huashan Sect, Yong Junil, approached us. He greeted us with a bow.

“Today has truly been a significant day. Although it’s disappointing I couldn’t have a chance to spar with the Thunder God Lineage, it seems it’s time we part ways.”

Indeed, considering normal circumstances, it would have been customary for Jin So-cheong and Yong Junil to have fought at least once. However, given the unexpected clash between the strongest of the Wind Spirit Sect and Thunder God Lineage, that opportunity slipped away.

Lee Kwang coldly chuckled in response.

“Clear as day, huh? Are you wanting to ferret out more of our martial arts?”

“I wouldn’t be so foolish as to think I could steal your techniques just from one spar.”

“Sorry, but I’m too tired to spar today. Set another date later.”

Lee Kwang’s rejection of Yong Junil’s subtle invitation felt strangely odd. Normally, he would find some way to eliminate an expert from the Wind Spirit Sect. However, considering I might intervene, I decided to keep quiet and watch.

Yong Junil chuckled.

“Lee Kwang. Just how deep a relationship do you have with the True Heaven Alliance?”

“Why do you care about someone else’s love life? That’s a pointless question. If you continue to prattle nonsense, get lost.”

Lee Kwang mocked, brushing him off, but Yong Junil persisted.

“We’ll just have to wait and see if that’s a pointless remark or not.”

“……”

A thick smile traversed Yong Junil’s lips.

“Haha, it holds no particular meaning.”

What could that possibly mean?

I tilted my head in confusion, but Lee Kwang’s and Mangnyang’s expressions had soured. It seemed they had grasped the hidden meaning in Yong Junil’s words. As a murderous intent flowed into Lee Kwang’s eyes and he prepared to step forward, Mangnyang swiftly intervened.

“Thank you for your pointless schemes. But we must be on our way now. It would be impolite for the esteemed Huashan Sect to detain guests for too long.”

“Ah, indeed.”

“If there are any unfortunate incidents on our path ahead, the Huashan Sect will also bear that responsibility.”

“……”

Yong Junil’s eyebrows twitched. He responded curtly.

“Enough of this. I’ll take my leave.”

Thus, we concluded our meeting at the Huashan Sect and set off again.

—————————= Author’s Note —————————=

Sorry for the delay; the story hit a slight block!

No need to worry; I’m not going on hiatus!

And the workouts are pretty tough… I wonder if losing belly fat will come first, or if I’ll drop dead first.

 

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