Chapter 722: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

It had been quite some time since the ‘Seven Iron, Three Scrolls’-the Ten Great Masters-had first appeared.

This was in reference to the great war against the Demonic Sects of the past.

The name originated after the Great War of Orthodox and Demonic.

While some individuals had changed over time, the overall framework remained the same.

After all, in the Central Plains, which revered martial arts, these were the ten strongest experts.

Though ranking them was difficult, once the positions were set, it would be more surprising if they changed.

‘You only need to look at the Three Venerables to know.’

It had been over ten years since the Three Venerables stopped being active.

The only one who still made occasional appearances was the Heavenly Venerable, and even the Overlord Venerable maintained his position despite not being active for over twenty years.

This showed just how firmly entrenched their positions were once taken.

So now, let’s pose a question.

‘Just how strong are the Ten Great Masters, really?’

This is a fundamental question.

Seven Iron, Three Scrolls.

The strongest experts chosen from the Central Plains.

Are they truly the ten strongest people?

I posed the question and answered it simultaneously.

‘No.’

I thought not.

There are countless people living in the Central Plains right now, hiding their strength.

Just look at my father, for instance.

There are masters who didn’t stand out because they didn’t participate in the war, and thus their names remained unknown.

They would have known.

That the war could be won even without their participation.

Or perhaps, they simply didn’t care whether they won or lost.

That’s why they didn’t show up.

However.

‘They did appear during the Demon Subjugation War.’

The bloodbath caused by the Heavenly Demon.

At that time, the entire Central Plains was burning, so there were those who inevitably revealed themselves.

This includes the beings who would later be known as the Thunder Saint (뇌성) and the Military Way (군도).

Monsters who, though weaker than the Three Venerables, could have easily made it into the Ten Great Masters.

This means there are individuals stronger than the currently known Ten Great Masters.

While the current Ten Great Masters are undoubtedly strong, it meant that the stories revealed weren’t the whole truth.

Ah, of course.

‘That doesn’t mean the Ten Great Masters are weak, though.’

It simply means they aren’t absolute beings who could reach their positions solely through strength.

Tap, tap.

I lightly brushed off my hands and looked straight ahead.

The Sect Leader of the Amitabha Sect.

Bunwol Kwonseon stood before me with her hands clasped behind her back.

She was just standing there, yet the air around her seemed to ripple strangely.

Was she displaying her power like the idiotic head of the Peng family?

No, that wasn’t it.

It must be her presence, subtly leaking out despite her attempts to hide it.

‘Kwonseon, huh.’

In the Amitabha Sect, known primarily for swordsmanship, she was a woman who reached the position of Sect Leader through fist techniques.

I calmed my mind as I looked at the old woman.

At the same time, I sensed her presence and activated my body.

Thump.

Strength flowed into my body, my muscles expanding.

Sensing hostility, I entered combat readiness.

As I slowly began to prepare.

“Young Master Gu.”

Bunwol Kwonseon, standing ahead, asked me.

“Are you truly going through with this?”

Hearing that, I chuckled slightly.

“What are you talking about? You’ve come all this way.”

The place we were in was a training ground set up behind my quarters.

It was a place arranged at Madam Mi’s request, normally used for sparring with the Overlord Venerable.

It was in such a place that I found myself facing Kwonseon.

The reason, naturally, was for a spar.

Kwonseon seemed quite displeased with the situation, her expression constantly furrowed.

“I’ll ask one last time… are you sure?”

“You don’t need to ask. My answer will be the same as the first time.”

I cut off the bothersome words.

“You should warm up your body quickly. You’re not young, you know, or you’ll end up injured.”

“…Hmph.”

A low sigh brushed against my skin.

My activated body received every moment with heightened sensitivity.

“This is an opportunity I’m giving you.”

“An opportunity?”

“If this goes any further, it won’t end with just a light scolding.”

Kwonseon’s eyes sank low.

Breathing became slightly heavier.

The pressure emanating from her began to gradually consume the vast training ground.

“You are remarkable. I was astonished by what I saw. You can be arrogant, you can be conceited. You’ve earned that right.”

“I don’t know where to put myself with such praise.”

“But. That’s where it ends.”

Whoosh.

As Kwonseon brushed her hand, ripples appeared in the air.

“Do I look like that foolish child from the Peng family?”

Dowang, instantly turned into a foolish idiot.

It felt amusing, but I didn’t laugh.

The pressure wasn’t light enough to laugh at.

“The Amitabha Sect does not overlook disrespect shown to it.”

The small ripples quickly turned into cracks.

Seeing that, I nodded.

“So? Are you saying you want to stop now?”

“If you apologize and ask for forgiveness, I might overlook this disrespect.”

“What apology and forgiveness?”

Haha.

I let out a laugh and immediately covered my mouth with my hand.

Oh dear, what should I do? I couldn’t hold back.

After a moment’s thought, I removed my hand.

It was too late, so I decided to just proceed as planned.

“You’re the one who showed up unannounced early in the morning.”

“…You…?”

Perhaps displeased with the address, Kwonseon’s brow furrowed.

“But what apology? Did it offend you that a much younger person talked back to the Sect Leader?”

“Young man, you really intend to cross the line.”

“If there was a line, I crossed it long ago. Why bother agonizing over such things?”

“You realize you’re picking a fight with the Amitabha Sect right now, don’t you?”

“Amitabha Sect my ass.”

I said, with a sigh.

“I’m just picking on you, senior, because I don’t like you. If you want to call it the Amitabha Sect, fine. I don’t care either way.”

“…!”

“And besides. If I apologize and ask for forgiveness now, you think I don’t know you’ll just brush it off by answering what you’re curious about?”

Should I just forgive them easily? No way.

Even while thinking my actions were childish tantrums, that must be why Kwonseon followed me all this way silently.

“Let’s keep it simple, shall we? I even gave you the justification.”

It’s generally considered improper for an old master to fight a junior disciple.

And to settle it with a power struggle for a specific purpose? If done wrong, it could be called despicable.

So, I created the justification.

I was the one who started the trouble.

Moreover.

“I even put a seal on it. That I wouldn’t reveal anything about this matter anywhere.”

I even handled the aftermath to prevent further issues.

Everything was handled perfectly, so why was she hesitating like that?

It was incomprehensible.

And it seemed Kwonseon felt the same way.

“Honestly. What is the reason for going this far?”

“Sect Leader. Are you perhaps deaf?”

“…What?”

“I’ve explained everything so far. And you’re asking again.”

What did she hear?

Or did she hear it but still not understand? Then I need to explain it more simply.

“It’s fucking annoying to play mind games, so let’s just fight and end it. Isn’t that how warriors should be?”

“Hmph.”

Wasting time is a shame.

My schedule is already packed today.

Meaning, I don’t have time to deal with an old lady when I’m swamped.

So.

“Grandma, let’s stop talking and get this over with.”

It was the limit of my patience.

As I said that, lightly loosening my shoulders, the woman next to Kwonseon flushed.

“You punk. What did you just say to the Sect Leader?”

This was the same woman who had interrupted earlier.

Looking at her face, she seemed quite angry.

However.

“How dare you, of the Amitabha Sect… Cough!?”

The woman couldn’t finish her sentence this time either.

About ten steps.

That was the distance I covered in a single stride to grab the woman by the neck.

The caught woman began to tremble, unable to do anything.

Looking at her, I said.

“What did I say earlier? I said I’d rip off an arm.”

Crack.

“Kkeueup!?”

I didn’t rip it off, but I twisted her right arm grotesquely.

I considered actually ripping it off but held back.

“Why do you keep butting into conversations between elders? You could really die, you know?”

The woman couldn’t even scream.

Worried she might be too loud, I blocked her breathing while I had her neck.

In that state, I looked at Kwonseon.

The distance to Kwonseon had narrowed to less than two steps.

“Since you keep hesitating, I’ll help you with one more thing.”

Kwonseon’s eyes widened considerably.

This was clearly my consideration.

A consideration to prevent unnecessary complacency before the fight.

“If you’re not going to fight, I’ll kill her right now.”

As I said that with a smile.

At that moment, immense pressure erupted from Kwonseon.

Her posture was the same, but the atmosphere was different.

It felt like she had become a completely different person.

Is this the fighting spirit of a Ten Great Master?

It was sufficiently stifling, and the feeling wasn’t bad.

Whoosh.

Kuh-woong-!

I casually threw the woman I was holding.

The sound of her hitting the wall echoed from a distance.

I had controlled it, but I might have killed her if I hadn’t been careful.

Even with thoughts like that.

“You have a talent for mocking people.”

Kwonseon didn’t seem to care what happened to the Amitabha Sect disciple.

“If that is your choice, I shall respect it. Young impulses often burn brightly and grandly.”

Slowly, Kwonseon took a stance.

“Please do not regret your choice…!”

I drove my fist into Kwonseon’s abdomen.

Kuh-woooong–!

“…Guhk!?”

Kwonseon’s body folded.

Putting strength into it, I pushed her hard.

Kuaaaah-! Releasing a gust of wind pressure, Kwonseon’s body flew towards the wall.

Kuh-woong–!!! Breaking through the training ground wall, Kwonseon’s body embedded itself.

Tududuk.

Debris rained down.

Looking at that, I said.

“Who are you trying to act tough for? Trying to die?”

To still be like that after I showed her everything. It’s absurd.

As I stared at the wall with eyes full of irritation.

Woong-!

Suddenly, I felt a surge of pressure.

I immediately clenched my fist.

Hooook-!

Heat gathered.

Instantly, the Flame Orb (염옥) was completed.

Putting all my strength into my shoulder, I threw it with all my might.

The Flame Orb shot rapidly towards the wall.

Thump-! Kuaaaaaaaahhhh—!!!

The moment it collided, a massive explosion erupted.

The heat that flowed would have left nothing but bones for an ordinary person.

Is it over?

‘Bullshit.’

I didn’t think that at all.

I turned my gaze to the other side of the wall.

Wheeeeeeek-!

I turned my head slightly. Then, a fist grazed my cheek.

Kwonseon was already outside the blast radius, behind me.

I barely registered it.

“You bastard-!”

Crack-! Kwonseon stomped on the ground, causing cracks to burst in all directions.

The assault continued.

Countless fist paths appeared clearly in my Mind’s Eye.

Blocking each one, I twisted my body.

Thump-! Kuh-woong-!

Every time I dodged a punch, my body vibrated subtly.

‘Heavy.’

Kwonseon’s blows were fierce, and the saying was true.

The old woman had considerable strength for her age. Enough to break bones if hit incorrectly.

‘Was that last blow blocked?’

The surprise attack that hit my abdomen.

It broke through my defensive energy, but it didn’t land properly.

Kwonseon had reacted in that brief moment.

‘Good.’

She’s definitely one of the Ten Great Masters.

She’s different from the riff-raff.

Hoooooook-!

“!”

I felt a surge of pressure.

As we continued exchanging blows, I suddenly felt something unusual from Kwonseon.

‘The flow of her energy has changed.’

It was a flow I almost missed.

It seemed she was gathering it secretly to use.

‘Where is it.’

I checked Kwonseon’s body while throwing a punch.

‘Found it.’

From her left shoulder to her fist. The flow of energy was distorted only there.

I thought she used her right hand a lot, but she’s left-handed.

‘A feint.’

She must have deliberately made me think she was right-handed. How thorough.

It’s fine as long as I know now.

I narrowed my eyes slightly and shifted my stance.

I relaxed the strength in my waist and adjusted my angle.

Instantly, Kwonseon’s fist flew in.

Kwahng-! I was hit on the shoulder by a powerful fist strike.

My stance wavered.

‘Hmm.’

My shoulder felt numb, and my bones tingled.

Even with my defensive energy, is this the extent of it?

She is definitely strong.

However.

‘Is this all?’

It wasn’t surprisingly so.

“Hup!”

As an opening was created, Kwonseon’s stance shifted, as if she were about to use her gathered power.

Finally, the hidden energy revealed itself.

Kwonseon’s energy gathered at her fingertips, and she thrust her arm forward.

Wuhao Mountain Palm (무호산장).

A palm-shaped energy blast erupted.

No, it was about to erupt.

Pang-!

“…!?”

Kwonseon couldn’t unleash her technique.

Just as her palm was extending, I blocked it with my own palm.

Pah-ah-ah-ah-!!!

The energy scattered, exploding in all directions.

As the fierce impact surged.

“Kuhuk!”

Kwonseon bled and stumbled back several steps.

Her technique was sealed, and her vital energy seemed to have been disrupted.

“…Huk… huk.”

Kwonseon panted heavily. Even as she coughed up blood, she stared at me with an expression of shock.

I had just sealed her technique in a rather crude manner.

I created a head-on collision just as her energy was about to burst.

Doing so would cause internal injuries from the clash of energies.

Usually, the attacker suffers greater damage, but.

‘That’s only if our skill levels are similar.’

My immense energy negated even that damage.

Of course, I wasn’t completely unharmed internally, but it was within a tolerable level.

Kwonseon staggered.

Even seeing that, I had no intention of stopping.

I extended my leg to attack.

Pahk-! Kwonseon quickly raised her arm to defend, but it seemed she couldn’t block the full impact, as she swayed.

‘Then, once more.’

This time, I wrapped my fist in flames.

Infernal Fangs (구염태아랑).

Flames erupted from the fist that struck Kwonseon.

Hwa-reureureuk—!!!

Flames that could engulf the training ground. Even as the surroundings burned, I quickly shifted my gaze.

I searched for her position.

Although I landed a blow, Kwonseon used the recoil to disappear.

The flames obscured vision, so was she planning to use that to counterattack?

A decent tactic. The problem is.

‘You can’t escape my flames.’

These flames were like my energy sense.

Moving within them meant revealing your position entirely.

‘She should have just cleared the flames.’

A regrettable choice.

I extended my left arm.

Swish-!

My Ghost Silk reacted, spewing silk from my hand.

It instantly burrowed through the flames, then, Ggwaak-!

“Hup!”

I grabbed Kwonseon, who was weaving through the flames.

I pulled her straight towards me.

Hwa-ah-ah—!!!

Kwonseon’s frail body reappeared, piercing through the flames.

Kwonseon flew rapidly towards me.

Seeing that, I immediately threw a punch.

Ppeok-!

“Kuh…k!”

As she got closer, I hit her face. I didn’t imbue it with energy.

Even after being hit in the face, Kwonseon moved.

She must be trying to counterattack somehow.

After confirming with my Mind’s Eye, I struck her left shoulder.

Thump-!

Her stance faltered.

Because of that, Kwonseon failed to counterattack.

‘Next, her legs.’

Specifically, her right thigh.

I sealed her movement with the impact and broke her ankle.

Kwonseon fell.

I fixed her posture with my Ghost Silk, then drove my knee into her solar plexus.

Kuh-woong-! The attack landed, crushing her defensive energy.

“Puhuk!”

Along with the pain, Kwonseon spat out blood.

I twisted my body and dodged.

I didn’t have many clothes, so getting them dirty would be troublesome.

While dodging, I used the recoil to kick her in the face.

Pahk-!

Kwonseon’s head shot up.

The blood also sprayed into the air, and I felt her protective energy dissipate.

Releasing the Ghost Silk binding her, I forcefully pushed her chest with my foot.

Kwahng-!

Shoved away, Kwonseon slammed hard against the wall and then collapsed onto the ground with a thud.

Lying on the ground, Kwonseon didn’t relax my tension watching her.

Even that could be a feint.

As I watched, thinking so.

“…”

Even after time passed, Kwonseon didn’t move.

The situation became quiet for a moment.

‘What is it.’

Sensing a subtle sign, I tilted my head.

‘It shouldn’t be.’

I frowned.

Surely not?

Ah, surely not.

I waited a bit longer, but the situation didn’t change.

“…Is it real?”

I approached the fallen Kwonseon and grabbed her by the hair, lifting her up.

Swoosh.

Her light body was dragged limply.

Kwonseon’s face was already a mess.

Blood trickled from her nose and mouth, and she was breathing shallowly, as if about to die.

Her battered face.

Seeing this, I had to let out a hollow laugh.

I thought it couldn’t be, but it seems I was right.

My insides felt empty in an instant.

Nothing I had expected happened.

Feeling a surge of irritation, I asked Kwonseon.

“Is this really it?”

There wasn’t a single bone broken, twisted, or damaged.

Her internal organs were fine too.

What kind of fight is this?

Looking at Kwonseon with this utterly pathetic result, I said.

“Are you kidding me? How can you be this weak?”

She’s one of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains, no less.

Even if she were slightly weaker than public perception, it shouldn’t feel like this.

It was different from what I expected.

A truly disappointing sight.

I shook her by the hair, but Kwonseon’s breathing only grew fainter.

“No, Grandma. Get up for a second. Let’s fight again.”

I can’t end it so anticlimactically.

I said it with that thought in mind, but.

Brrr….

Instead of regaining consciousness, Kwonseon merely shivered briefly at my words.