Chapter 416: He/It has come.

The world was yellow. The sky, the trees, the grass, the river-the whole world was spinning, bathed in yellow.

For the past five days, my world had been like this.

“Ptooey….”

I spat on the floor, and the saliva mixed with blood.

Crack! As I pushed myself up, my joints screamed in agony.

My whole body hurt.

I barely managed to avoid losing consciousness, but the price was steep.

It felt like my flowing internal energy and meridians were all tangled up.

My current physical condition was a total mess.

My internal energy, now beyond my control, flowed erratically, and my vision swam, making it hard to see.

Judging by my senses alone, it wouldn’t be strange even if I had fallen into demonic cultivation, but…

I knew.

That these malfunctioning senses would return soon.

And not long after.

Grind-!

“Nngh….”

Just as I expected.

My wildly rampaging internal energy and the seemingly broken meridians began to react.

The energy, which had been acting violently as if enraged, was being drawn back into my dantian as if captured by something.

And I felt my tangled meridians being forcibly straightened.

The pain from this was beyond imagination.

All I could do now was grit my teeth and hold back my screams.

‘Ins…ane….’

This pulling in of my energy right now. And restoring my meridians to their original state.

It was the power of the Heavenly Annihilation Fist, learned from the Fist Sovereign-nim.

Sometime before learning the techniques.

I finally understood what the Fist Sovereign-nim meant when he said I could only learn it once the power of the Heavenly Annihilation Fist had settled into my body.

The cornerstone for using the techniques.

An artificial transformation of body and mind,

Including forcibly inducing a state of trance,

And this damn power that forcibly restores a messed-up body through sheer pain.

That was the power held by the Heavenly Annihilation Fist.

Of course.

It isn’t possible under just any circumstances.

“Haa… haa…”

Only after my internal energy and meridians calmed down, and the pain subsided somewhat, could I lift my head.

Then, seeing the sight before me, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘…This really is insane power.’

Where there were originally trees and rocks, something had swept through, leaving only massive traces.

To compare, it was similar to the traces I left when I unleashed a massive Blazing Flame against the Black Dragon Sword.

That.

I created that with just a single punch.

One Fist (一拳).

That means this scene was created by the first technique of the Heavenly Annihilation Fist.

What an unbelievable martial art.

I understand it even better now that I’ve used it myself.

This martial art deserved to be called a divine art.

‘No wonder that old man’s… fists were so ferocious.’

Back when I fought the Fist Sovereign-nim in my previous life.

I think I understand why each of the Fist Sovereign-nim’s blows felt less like hitting and more like ‘destroying’.

He said it was a martial art solely focused on destruction and transcendence, didn’t he?

That description fits it perfectly.

However, just as its destructive power was clear, so were its problems.

The problem was my body immediately after using the technique.

This is why my meridians ended up like this and my energy went haywire.

Last dawn, the day the Fist Sovereign-nim attacked me directly with the technique.

I now understood why the Fist Sovereign-nim had said it would be faster to learn by taking his hits directly.

I knew it the moment I was hit.

The Heavenly Annihilation Fist within my body reacted on its own.

‘A martial art that teaches its own techniques.’

It’s absurd.

Even experiencing it myself, I can’t comprehend it.

How is this possible?

Immediately after taking a blow from the Fist Sovereign-nim.

As I gasped in pain, the Fist Sovereign-nim left me with a single remark before disappearing.

-From here on, figure it out yourself.

How ridiculous those words were. Hitting me out of nowhere and telling me to figure it out? That old geezer must really be out of his mind.

I definitely thought that back then.

‘Why is this working?’

Just as the Fist Sovereign-nim said, the Heavenly Annihilation Fist was showing me how to move on its own.

If I wanted to extend my power, the energy moved first.

It was as if it were paving a path, showing me how to move.

Then, I intuitively knew.

How to apply my internal energy, where to place my toes, how to twist my waist.

The energy was showing me the way.

If I moved against the flow of the energy.

Pain would serve as an indicator, telling me that wasn’t the way.

Seeing this, even though it sounds incredible, it wasn’t a particularly difficult technique, just as the Fist Sovereign-nim said.

It was truly just a single, straight punch.

It’s just that the application of energy during that brief moment was nonsensical.

‘Compressing it is already a struggle. Why is controlling it so difficult?’

Compressing the utterly wild internal energy

And gathering that energy into a single point in my fist through my body.

The force required to maintain that compression during the process slows the body and makes it burdensome, but…

I had to endure and move.

Even then, the pain persisted.

Delicately controlling the energy amidst dulled movements so it wouldn’t scatter.

And releasing it at the very end as the fist extends in a straight line.

Only then, One Fist (一拳).

It was a single movement hardly worthy of being called a technique, but…

I could feel the countless realizations contained within it.

The problem was the serious overload my body experienced after using this One Fist.

The issue was the pain, so intense it made the world turn yellow.

Because the energy was maddeningly rough, my meridians and internal energy twisted the moment I used it.

The Heavenly Annihilation Fist restored it miraculously, but…

For the one enduring it, the pain was enough to make one hesitate to use it even a few times.

‘Considering that, it’s a martial art with terrible cost-effectiveness.’

To end up like this after just one use, if its power is comparable to the Blazing Flame, there seems to be no need to use it, but…

What I can know is this:

‘This must be the level of power before it’s even familiar to the body.’

This much power with absolutely zero proficiency.

Even with the accompanying pain and the extreme prerequisites for its use.

A martial art possessing such power is indeed a divine art.

I staggered to my feet.

My breathing was still ragged, but I forced myself to act nonchalant and looked behind me.

There stood the Fist Sovereign-nim, arms crossed, watching me with a smile.

His expression was one of considerable satisfaction.

“For a first try, not bad.”

“…Can’t you see I feel like I’m about to die?”

“But you didn’t die, did you?”

That damn old man…?

His overly harsh words made me frown deeply.

“So, how is it? Seems manageable, doesn’t it?”

“No. I can’t use it twice.”

“Meaning you can use it once. I like that.”

“…Why are you always unnecessarily optimistic?”

Why is he so positive when I’m practically dying?

“You seem quite excited.”

“Of course, I’m excited. Much better than I expected.”

“This?”

Judging by the mess caused by the aftermath of the martial art, it seemed I had used the power correctly, but…

Ending up like this due to the backlash wasn’t great.

But he says I did well?

I looked at the Fist Sovereign-nim, unable to comprehend.

He chuckled and spoke.

“You seem to be mistaken about something.”

“Hm?”

“I thought it would take two months, but you accomplished it in just seven weeks. How could I not like that?”

Two months?

This technique was supposed to take two months? Just one punch?

The Fist Sovereign-nim approached me and continued speaking.

“It might look like a simple movement, and indeed it is the simplest, but it’s the one I agonized over the most.”

As it’s the starting point of the techniques,

I could vaguely understand the Fist Sovereign-nim’s words about agonizing over it.

“In any case, you succeeded in using it, my disciple. You must know how complex it is constructed.”

“Yes….”

When I said it was simple, I was referring only to the movements.

They look simple, but the process within is exceedingly complex.

Compression, maintenance, control, release.

Not one of these four could falter, requiring delicate coordination.

If you fail, the internal energy explodes uncontrollably within your body.

Then you writhe in agony. I repeated this countless times.

I suffered for days, and finally succeeded just now.

“Don’t you realize what a remarkable feat it is to have accomplished that in merely seven weeks?”

“….”

It didn’t quite resonate. No matter how difficult they said it was, ultimately, as long as I endured the pain, it was something I could do.

Seeing my expression, the Fist Sovereign-nim continued.

“I’ve told you time and again. Even if you know nothing else,”

He seemed quite pleased.

“When it comes to my martial arts, my disciple, there’s no one more suited for them than you.”

“…”

“Not bad. Well done.”

The Fist Sovereign-nim patted my shoulder and walked past.

I still found that infuriatingly patronizing ‘genius’ treatment unfamiliar.

‘…Martial arts that suit me.’

But I had come to feel it to some extent.

That the Heavenly Annihilation Fist was a martial art suited for me.

It wasn’t for any particular reason.

Simply enduring and bearing with it-that simple principle fit me best.

Then, I shook my head and dismissed the thought.

Because I felt I shouldn’t get carried away by such trivial praise.

“Ah, right. My disciple.”

“Yes. Elder.”

“This is just out of lingering concern, but I forbid you from using this in actual combat without my permission.”

“…”

“I also forbid you from training outside my sight. You know why, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

The reason for the prohibition.

This martial art could put considerable strain on the body if used incorrectly,

And if an accident occurred, the only one who could handle it would be the Fist Sovereign-nim, so he likely meant not to use it outside his supervision for now.

Only after hearing my answer did the Fist Sovereign-nim disappear, seemingly satisfied.

Left alone, I immediately collapsed onto the floor.

“…Hoo.”

The dizzying sensation lingered, perhaps from the aftereffects.

Only after the Fist Sovereign-nim left and I was alone could I breathe a sigh of relief.

‘I succeeded.’

I had worried a lot about what would happen if I failed.

Fortunately, I succeeded.

At the same time, I felt a surge of irritation.

‘If I’d had two months of leeway, I wouldn’t have pushed myself like this.’

Since the Fist Sovereign-nim said it wasn’t that difficult, I thought it shouldn’t take long, so I stayed up all night… Turns out he expected it to take two months.

“…Well, it worked out somehow.”

Although it felt somewhat unfair, I decided to think that it was fine as long as it worked out.

As I lay there blankly.

I sensed footsteps approaching my vicinity from afar.

The moment I sensed them, I slightly pushed up my upper body.

Thump.

Someone flew from a distance and landed on the ground.

Appearing gracefully with a light movement was Baekryeon Geom.

“Hi?”

I nodded at Baekryeon Geom’s characteristically bright greeting.

“Welcome.”

“What the? I came right on time, so why are you lying down?”

“…I felt a bit dizzy.”

I pushed myself up again.

Baekryeon Geom tilted her head at my answer, but didn’t pry further.

“You told me not to come near while you were training, so what’s up?”

“My training just finished…. And I have something to tell you, Baekryeon Geom.”

“Hm? Me?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, Baekryeon Geom’s eyes lit up.

I don’t know what she’s thinking, but it’s probably not something worth getting excited about….

Thinking that, I looked at Baekryeon Geom and asked.

“Do you have time later this evening?”

Upon hearing my question, Baekryeon Geom’s eyes widened like saucers.

Immediately after, she gave a sly smile, beckoned me, and said,

“Oh my, what’s this? Are you trying to seduce this older sister? Oh my, oh my. Such a young thing, yet so eager…”

“That’s not it.”

I frowned deeply at Baekryeon Geom’s nonsense and denied it.

What kind of crap is this ajumma spouting now… Who am I trying to seduce?

“No?”

“Absolutely not.”

“…Really?”

Leaving Baekryeon Geom with a look of disappointment for some reason,

I decided to get to the point.

“Remember last time…. When I asked you to do me a favor?”

“I remember.”

When Baekryeon Geom said she wanted to continue escorting me.

I had set a few conditions for her.

Among them was a condition that she would grant me one favor later,

And Baekryeon Geom accepted it.

Even placing a magical seal on it.

“I intend to use it tonight.”

At my words, Baekryeon Geom smirked again.

“Tonight… See? I told you, this is about seducing…”

“I told you it’s not…”

“…Why not?”

Why not? Because it’s just not!

Why does this person keep jumping to that conclusion? It’s ridiculous.

At my repeated denials, Baekryeon Geom frowned slightly and said,

“Then what is it?”

The favor I have for Baekryeon Geom is none other than this.

‘The Bastard has arrived.’

‘The Bastard’ must have arrived somewhere not far from here.

Based on the timing, they should have arrived by now,

And even if not, I could sense it.

This is also why I had made prior ‘arrangements’ with The Bastard.

The favor I need from Baekryeon Geom is related to this.

Tonight.

I planned to seek out the Green King myself.

Despite his clumsy appearance, The Bastard was sharp-witted, so he wouldn’t directly attack the transport.

He wasn’t foolish enough to attack when the Patriarch of the Pa Clan and the Poison King were present,

He would likely wait for the opportune moment to achieve his goals.

So, I would go find him first.

Coincidentally, I also didn’t want the Poison King and the Green King to meet directly,

So this worked out well.

One might think going to him directly would be dangerous, but…

I had already made preparations for that, so it was fine.

As I calmly organized my thoughts while sorting through the lingering heat.

Baekryeon Geom suddenly asked me.

“So. Is it really not?”

“…”

I had to run a hand down my face before I could even state my request.

I already felt like my energy was being drained.