Chapter 721: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Sometime while I was training, Father said.

-In the Central Plains, there are those called the Seven Iron and Three Fists.

Heat that was almost scorching.

It was a strange thing to say amidst the heat that could easily warm up the training room.

-Suddenly?

I said it out of the blue, but Father continued the story as if he didn’t mind.

This often happened when I trained with Father.

He’d say things I didn’t ask about.

At times, I thought he was being a bit too chatty.

Still, I never chided him for it.

It was like…

-Decades ago, they were the ones who showed great strength during the war against the Demonic Cult.

Because I felt that this kind of situation wasn’t entirely bad.

-Like the Plum Blossom Immortal-nim of Mount Hua, the Sword Immortal-nim of Wudang, or the Fist Emperor-nim of Zhejiang. They were also part of the group that included the now-departed Lone Sword of Qinghai.

He continued talking about a few other figures.

I sensed something strange there.

He used honorifics for the Plum Blossom Immortal and the Lone Sword of Qinghai. And one other person.

But for the other Seven Iron and Three Fists, he used a rather dismissive tone.

-Their strength is immense. Each one is like a moving clan.

-I see.

-If you ever meet them, be careful. They are not only strong but also possess deep and sharp minds.

I’m sorry, but Family Head-nim.

Your son here isn’t lacking in that regard either.

I almost said it, but managed to hold back.

-So, are you saying they’re stronger than you, Father?

I said it jokingly.

I knew deep down they weren’t even comparable.

But upon hearing this, Father just looked at me quietly and said this.

-They might tickle.

-…

The way he said it so calmly made it even scarier, as if it were true.

Anyway.

Perhaps because of the meeting I’m having now.

The memory suddenly surfaced.

Pushing the memory aside, I looked straight ahead.

An old woman, who had aged gracefully, sat before me.

She was one of the Seven Iron and Three Fists Father had mentioned.

Specifically, she was one of the Three Fists (三拳).

The Powder Moon Fist Immortal (粉月拳仙).

One of the Central Plains’ Ten Great Masters.

One of the Three Fists (三拳) among the Seven Iron and Three Fists.

This was the old woman’s identity.

She claimed to be over eighty years old and was one of the figures who had lived through the era of war against the Demonic Cult.

Furthermore, she was the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.

She was also a leading female figure of the Central Plains.

Her martial arts were characterized by heavy fist techniques that utilized the sect’s unique style, or so I’d heard.

‘Fist techniques from those skinny arms?’

She was past eighty, and just having a straight back was impressive enough.

Her slender arms, showing no sign of muscle, didn’t seem to possess any strength at all.

An elegant old woman.

Like a grandmother running a wealthy merchant guild.

That was the kind of impression she gave.

‘Hmm….’

Watching her, I secretly swallowed.

Her body looked like mere skin and bones, and the way she drank tea with her thin fingertips truly made her seem like a frail old woman.

‘But that’s just on the outside. She’s not like that on the inside.’

She wasn’t someone simply weak.

Do you know who the most untrustworthy people in the Central Plains are?

Women and the elderly.

Most brutish men who only stacked up martial arts had their dicks fused with their brains, making them beastly.

Those who were a bit smarter used this to employ honey traps.

That’s why even the Martial Alliance, and other clans, kept pretty maids by their side.

‘…The Gu family is relatively okay, though.’

They’re all rotten inside anyway, so whether it’s the Demonic Cult or the Orthodox Sects, they’re equally dangerous.

Because of that, I made it a habit to live warily of women.

‘In my past life too, I used to burn them to death if they crossed me.’

A pretty woman approaches me saying she likes me?

There’s nothing more dangerous and warranting caution.

Untrustworthy.

And shouldn’t be trusted.

‘Although, they all ended up dead by the Sword Demon King’s hand before they could even approach me.’

I heard the Alliance sent some, and hostile forces constantly tried things too.

But since the Sword Demon King found approaching women disgusting and sliced them down one by one, the attempts were relatively few.

In any case, women in the Central Plains. Especially pretty ones, are beings to be wary of.

As for the second reason why the elderly are dangerous…

‘It’s simple. The older you get, the stronger you become.’

A martial artist’s internal energy cultivation is based on the years they’ve trained.

Since they replenish their energy through breathing, the value of their lived years is proportional to their strength.

People say a martial artist’s physical prime is after forty.

Energy is all about time.

Ah, of course, one can supplement it through fortuitous encounters or spirit pills…

‘But that only increases the quantity. Increasing the quality is another matter.’

Even with the same amount, the meaning contained within is different.

The life lived becomes enlightenment, permeating the energy.

That energy, above all else, elevates a martial artist’s worth.

‘…That’s why the Ten Great Masters and the Three Venerables are so strong.’

Among those currently holding positions, the relatively younger generation, the Six Seats, rely on influence.

The Ten Great Masters and the Three Venerables hold their positions solely based on strength.

If you count them, that’s thirteen in total.

Seeing that the youngest among them is past sixty, one can’t help but understand how terrifying the elderly are in the Central Plains.

‘…But this old woman, the Fist Master, fits both categories.’

A face that must have been beautiful in her youth, combined with the deep numbers of her lived life.

She’s a person possessing both dangerous possibilities.

What’s more.

‘She’s strong.’

In fact, the Powder Moon Fist Master was strong.

I could tell just by looking.

The frailty was just an appearance. Inside, she was packed solid.

‘Currently, only two among the Ten Great Masters are known to be close to the Three Venerables.’

The Plum Blossom Immortal of Mount Hua and the Sword Emperor of the Martial Alliance.

Having met both of them directly, I could be certain.

‘This old woman is not lacking either.’

That doesn’t mean she’s not lacking compared to the Three Venerables.

It simply meant that the Fist Master was by no means weaker than the Sword Emperor.

‘She’s packed.’

The energy contained within that small body, I wondered how it fit.

And the solid vessel forming it.

‘No openings.’

Even sitting there drinking tea, I couldn’t find any openings.

If I surprise-attacked, would I even hit her? I wondered.

Yes, doubt.

The fact that I felt doubt instead of certainty even when considering a surprise attack was proof that the old woman was a considerable powerhouse.

Of course, I was the one who made it impossible not to be cautious.

‘Hmm.’

This won’t be easy.

As I was thinking that.

“It’s a sudden meeting, but thank you for accepting me.”

The old woman, the Powder Moon Fist Master, spoke.

Hearing that, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

“You’re not just anyone, you’re the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect. I must make time, of course.”

“…Indeed.”

Listening to her calm tone, I asked in return this time.

“So… why have you, the Sect Leader, come to find me?”

How surprised I was since this morning.

Even without this, people were already filling the area in front of the surrounding quarters, saying they came to find the Twin Dragons.

Amidst all that, if the Emei Sect Leader came to see me, how could I not be surprised?

‘Not even an elder, but the Sect Leader herself.’

She’s someone you rarely get to see.

Since such a person personally graced me with her presence, I had to see her out of curiosity.

Gulp.

Clack.

As the sound of drinking tea finished, the teacup settled on the table.

At that moment.

Whoosh.

An unknown energy spread throughout the room.

It was a Qi Barrier (氣膜).

It seemed the Powder Moon Fist Master had erected a Qi Barrier.

Thump.

Whoooosh-!!

As soon as I felt that, I too unleashed energy from my core.

It devoured the Qi Barrier the Powder Moon Fist Master had erected and filled the room.

“Huh?”

Seeing this, the Powder Moon Fist Master let out a surprised gasp.

It seemed she hadn’t expected her Qi Barrier to be interfered with.

“My apologies. However, this is strictly my room, so shouldn’t I be the one erecting a Qi Barrier?”

How dare she try to spread her energy in my domain.

I had absolutely no intention of accepting it.

Then, the woman next to the Fist Master scowled.

She seemed to be the Sect Leader’s bodyguard.

“You punk! How dare you…!”

Clang-!

Perhaps angered by my attitude, she started to draw her sword for a moment.

Swish-!

“!”

Before that could happen, the sword’s edge was already against her neck.

Seongyul, who was with me, had already drawn his sword.

Fast.

That guy’s speed is no joke.

Seeing that, I chuckled inwardly.

‘He’s right on the verge.’

Somewhere between the perfected Peak Realm and the Transformation Realm.

Seongyul’s bottleneck, which was in an ambiguous position, was right before him.

It seemed like just a slight push from behind would be enough for him to break through.

“…Gak….”

Being subdued so instantly, the bodyguard’s face turned pale.

She probably hadn’t expected Seongyul to be faster than her.

The situation had turned somewhat grim.

I immediately looked at Seongyul and said.

“Put it away.”

“Yes.”

At the command, Seongyul promptly retrieved his sword.

The subdued woman’s expression crumpled.

The only pity was that it ended there.

“What a shame.”

“What?”

At my words, the woman’s gaze turned towards me.

Looking at her, I spoke.

“If you had drawn your sword again, I was planning to rip your arm off along with it.”

“…!”

Those were highly insulting words.

If she had any pride, she’d draw her sword immediately.

“Kkeudeuk-!”

No sooner had I thought that than the woman moved, but.

Chak-!

Her action couldn’t be completed.

It was because the Fist Master reached out and stopped the woman from drawing her sword.

“Sect Leader….”

Slap-!

The sound echoed in the room.

The woman’s head snapped violently to the side.

‘Oh.’

I watched the scene with curiosity.

The Fist Master hadn’t moved. Yet, the woman was slapped.

‘Did she slap her with Qi? Or perhaps.’

Was it with Mind Fist (心拳)?

It was a shame I didn’t focus more.

‘Probably not Mind Fist.’

If she had used that, the woman’s head wouldn’t have just turned; she would have been pulverized.

“There won’t be a second time. Do not commit any further rudeness.”

“…I apologize….”

At the Fist Master’s words, the woman shrunk back as if dead silent.

I watched her reaction with interest.

“My apologies. The child committed a rudeness.”

“Yes. It was quite a significant rudeness. However, seeing as you are the Sect Leader, I shall let it slide this once.”

“…”

Hearing my words, the Fist Master’s brow furrowed slightly.

It didn’t matter.

“So, what business brings you here that you even had to erect a Qi Barrier?”

“Hahaha….”

Perhaps my attitude was the issue. The Fist Master let out a short laugh.

And then.

“How curious.”

I felt a strangeness in her words.

Her tone had subtly changed.

“What is?”

“It was something I could tell immediately… but why are you.”

The Fist Master’s eyes narrowed.

“Not hiding your strength?”

“Hmm?”

At those words, I tilted my head.

It was an action as if I didn’t understand what she meant.

“What’s the point of hiding it? I’ll be found out eventually anyway.”

“…”

I couldn’t fully ascertain the Fist Master’s level.

However, I could vaguely grasp it.

Which means.

‘The other party is no different.’

Meaning the Fist Master can see me too.

If I hide, it’ll be obvious as I hide it, and besides.

‘I don’t really plan on living while hiding anymore.’

There was no need to anymore.

The time had come long ago.

Opportunity and justification.

And determination were all that was needed.

In such a situation, why would I hide anything?

‘No.’

It was just that this was the part I no longer needed to hide, even after hiding everything else.

Silence passed between us.

After staring at each other for a moment, the Fist Master spoke first again.

“…Is that so.”

She nodded as if accepting, though not truly convinced.

“Divine Dragon this, Twin Dragon that. It seems I was looking in the wrong places. The real one was here.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. So, Sect Leader. I’m asking for the third time now, why did you come to find me?”

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes.”

“I heard that a young lady named Pi Yeonyeon is with you. Is that correct?”

Fortunately, she got straight to the point.

It was even more fortunate because it was a matter I had anticipated.

“Ah. Miss Pi, you mean.”

Nodding as if recalling, I thought.

Pi Yeonyeon.

A martial artist born into the Xi’an Pi family.

That was Bongsun’s alias. This confirmed that the Emei Sect was looking for Bongsun.

So, how should I handle this?

This too, was something I had decided long ago.

“Yes. She is a young lady I am sponsoring.”

“Sponsoring?”

At my words, a different light flickered in the Fist Master’s eyes.

“I happened upon her while searching in Xi’an. She has outstanding talent, but her background was lacking, so I decided to sponsor her.”

I spoke without pause, calculating internally.

‘My objective is Bongsun.’

The question here is.

‘Is it because of the valuable item… or Bongsun herself?’

This part remains ambiguous.

Just then.

“Do you happen to know?”

The Fist Master asked me.

“About Pi Yeonyeon. What kind of existence that child is.”

‘Wow.’

Hearing that, I thought inwardly.

I told her to get to the point, and she hits me with something even bigger right away.

Good.

In that case, I should respond in kind.

“Yes. I know.”

“…!”

The Fist Master’s eyes widened at my unwavering answer.

Her reaction is amusing. Did she not expect me to answer like this?

“You know…?”

“Yes. Well… roughly?”

“Know what-“

“Conversely, do you know, Sect Leader?”

“…!”

“About Miss Pi Yeonyeon. What is it that you know?”

Two consecutive questions.

Those words sealed the Fist Master’s lips.

‘Now, how will you respond?’

What thoughts are racing through her mind?

She probably has many concerns.

This is the outcome decided the moment I answered that I knew.

I know.

But what do I know?

Is it the same thing she knows?

Or is there something else about Pi Yeonyeon?

Such questions might sprout, but she can’t easily ask.

The problem is that these possibilities block her own mouth.

‘She can’t carelessly leak information.’

If what I know differs from what she knows, the only one at a disadvantage is the Fist Master.

This was the situation I had created.

“Hmph… Truly a snake-like child.”

Sensing this, the Fist Master spat out her words, laden with meaning.

I smiled upon hearing that.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re even audacious. Knowing full well that I am the Fist Master of the Emei Sect before you. Aren’t you afraid of facing great misfortune?”

“I hear that often… but seeing as I’m still alive, I’d say it’s a decent attitude. Others seemed to like it.”

Audacious. Rude. Annoying. Arrogant.

I’ve heard all sorts of things, but I’ve never been scolded.

If they tried to threaten me, I killed them.

If they displeased me, I crushed them.

Trickle.

I refilled the empty teacups with tea.

“Would you like another cup?”

“…Certainly.”

After pouring one for the Fist Master as well.

“Since you asked first, Fist Master, I shall ask something too.”

I didn’t hear her answer, but it didn’t matter.

“Is the Emei Sect’s objective Miss Pi? Or is it the item she possesses?”

“…”

A direct question.

At those words, the air instantly grew heavy.

Grind….

Rattle rattle.

The table began to shake rapidly.

“…You.”

A heavy energy brushed against my cheek.

The Fist Master’s presence began to grow stronger.

“My, my.”

Feeling that, I let out a slight sigh.

Why does she keep acting up so annoyingly in my room?

Kuuuuuu—!!

I put strength into my core and unleashed my energy.

Pressing down on the Fist Master’s presence, I slowly tore away at her energy.

It seemed she hadn’t expected this either; her eyes widened like saucers as her presence, not just her Qi Barrier, was suppressed.

Looking at the Fist Master like that, I said.

“An old woman keeps using her strength. Does she want to ascend faster?”

Just because I scratched her a little, she tries to crush me with force. Honestly, people who age poorly are the biggest problem.

Or is the Central Plains itself the problem?

In my eyes, it was both.

Whatever the case, since they’re so violent, I, being the good guy, always have to be the victim.

How can I possibly live feeling so wronged?

The Fist Master’s energy grew darker and denser.

And my power suppressing it grew stronger too.

Tzereok.

A sound came from the roof.

It looked like the entire residence would collapse at this rate.

If it collapsed, Madam Mi might get angry.

I heard from Moyong Hi-ah that this was a residence Madam Mi cherished.

Recalling that, I sighed inwardly.

“Since we’ve come this far, let’s take it easy, shall we?”

Controlling my strength, I said to the Fist Master.

“After all, you have questions for me, don’t you, Sect Leader?”

“…”

The Fist Master’s eyes were murderous.

No answer came, and killing intent was added to her energy.

Ah, this old lady has a nasty temper.

‘Annoyingly so.’

So, I had no choice.

“Since it’s come to this, how about we just fight? Clean and simple?”

“…What?”

“The loser answers whatever the winner asks. How about it?”

I said it with a smile.

But the Fist Master’s expression contorted even more.