Chapter 311: Unorthodox Martial Talents

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Three fine steeds, black and tawny, galloped as if flying along the main road.

TTAGEURAK, TTAGEURAK, TTAGEURAK-!

Perhaps due to winter’s cold, hardly any travelers could be seen on the main road.

But steam was rising from the heads of the three riders cutting through the wind on horseback.

It seemed they had worked up a sweat from running nonstop along the main road for so long.

How far had they traveled like that?

Suddenly, the figure on the leftmost horse spoke while looking ahead.

“We’re almost there.”

A young man wearing blue clothes embroidered with a jackal on the left shoulder and a wolf on the right.

It was Violent Wolf Blade, one of the Five Martial Absolutes of Hunan and the sole disciple of Wild Wolf Saber Demon Jinjo Jeok-je, Master of the Unorthodox Jackal Wolf Blade Sect.

Then the figure on the rightmost horse received his words.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

He was a tall young man with broad shoulders spread wide.

Eyes fierce like a beast, a thick nose and lips, and a large long saber stuck in his back.

On the gray martial attire he wore, a pattern representing his sect and identity was embroidered.

It was a kun, the legendary great fish.

This was the symbol of Giant Roc Saber Gate, a famous Unorthodox faction of the Hubei region.

That’s right.

The identity of the young man carrying the massive saber was On-ga, disciple of Great Saber Kun Yuk Geum-gang, the Sect Master of Giant Roc Saber Gate which was among the Six Ultimate Stars of Hubei.

His age was twenty-five this year, the same as Violent Wolf Blade.

His epithet was New Kun Saber Genius.

It meant he was a new talent succeeding his master Yuk Geum-gang.

He had not participated in the battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult.

At that time, he had been receiving treatment after being injured while sparring with a famous rising Unorthodox talent.

Of course, he had now fully recovered to optimal condition.

Following that, the man riding the horse in the center opened his mouth.

“After listening to Young Master Jong’s story, I have high expectations. How much his martial prowess has developed…”

At that, Jong-pyeong beside him gave a sidelong glance.

‘He also feels competitiveness.’

The mounted figure in the middle also appeared similar in age to Jong-pyeong and On-ga.

His martial attire was entirely black.

That wasn’t all.

The iron sword hanging beside the saddle was also very dark.

Moreover, even the horse he was riding was the same color, giving him the appearance of having wrapped black clouds around his entire body.

Bronze skin, bulging muscular physique, and strong features… he was a young swordsman with a heroic bearing like the very model of a great man.

Just from his outward appearance, one could guess he was an ultra-first-rate swordsmanship genius.

The young swordsman in black was the foremost talent within Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace, a preeminent Unorthodox martial faction.

Black Cloud Young Master Hwa-seong.

A disciple cultivated by none other than Black Silk Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong, the Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace Master who was at the uppermost tier among the Six Ultimate Stars of Hubei.

He too had not appeared at the battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult.

It couldn’t be helped.

At that time, Hwa-seong was in the middle of closed-door training for martial arts achievement.

Who was the figure he had just mentioned having expectations about?

Jong-pyeong immediately recognized and thought of that name.

‘Beon-sa…’

A disciple of Blue Robe Sword Noble Do Yun, the Vice Master of Broken Mountain Sword Manor and one of the Five Martial Absolutes of Hunan, and the owner of the epithet Mountain Shattering Sword.

Also.

He was a benefactor to Jong-pyeong.

‘I owe him a debt.’

During the battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult, Jong-pyeong himself had been injured by the Moon Demon Assembly’s Vice Leader and faced a crisis.

At that moment, Beon-sa had appeared like lightning and helped him escape that perilous moment.

-Young Master Jong! First, stop the bleeding!

It had been amazing.

Because Beon-sa’s advanced martial prowess was evenly matched with the Moon Demon Assembly Vice Leader, a master within Sun Moon Demon Cult.

On the other hand, he had felt both moved and ashamed simultaneously.

He himself had deliberately mocked the incident when Blue Robe Sword Noble Do Yun was defeated by the newcomer Cheol Ryu-heun.

Yet he had escaped the crisis of death with the help of that disciple, Beon-sa…

Through that, he had greatly realized something.

The fact that Beon-sa’s caliber was greater than his own.

Both in character and martial prowess.

It became an opportunity to reflect on his own attitude of acting arrogantly as a famous rising talent.

He was newly grateful.

For making him realize he had been a frog in a well…

Soon a faint smile spread across Jong-pyeong’s lips.

“I expect Young Master Beon has developed even more in the meantime. Through the arrangements of the one who summoned us.”

At that, Black Cloud Young Master Hwa-seong also smiled.

“Probably so.”

The one who had called the three was none other than White Peak Sword Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun.

They too were included in the personnel heading to the Shiwan Mountains.

Before long, the three arrived at a manor to the west of Zhuzhou, a mid-sized city in the Hunan region.

It was an abandoned place without an owner.

On-ga, having tied his horse in the courtyard, spoke softly to Jong-pyeong.

“Zhuzhou… this is the region where the rumor that Sect Master Cheol was a rising force started, right?”

“That’s right. One of those cities. It was right after the Azure Mark Sword’s party was humiliated. All the upper-tier martial artists who had ruled this place – Saber Forest Ghost Master, Glittering Flash Sword, Yellow Sand Sword Monster and others – all hung their heads.”

It was truly a famous story.

That evening, Cheol Ryu-heun had toured five cities and won all the series of sparring matches, raising his reputation.

Thus within two days, starting with Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo, fifty famous local martial artists had been brought to their knees.

“No one knew back then. Sect Master Cheol’s true talent… as you said, it’s unprecedented in Jianghu history.”

At On-ga’s words, Jong-pyeong nodded.

“Indeed, having inherited the supreme arts left by the five supermen said to be the strongest in history…”

“But could there be an existence that surpasses Sect Master Cheol’s level?”

“Who knows.”

The moment Jong-pyeong shrugged, Hwa-seong added.

“Hmm, one never knows. If it’s the current Heavenly Demon Cult’s Grand Prelate who recently appeared…”

At that, the other two men’s expressions darkened slightly.

That’s how great the pressure of the title “Heavenly Demon Cult Grand Prelate” was.

Suddenly.

SYUUUUUUUNG-

A wind sound cutting across the high sky was heard.

KKUGUGUGUGUNG!

A pure white mass of light fell into the courtyard where the three stood.

The identity of the white flash was a man and horse.

It was Cheol Ryu-heun who had appeared riding Divine Wind.

In the back seats, the figures of Dark Hall Master Dark Sword Fragrance Mun Bin and Heavenly Flower Tower Master White Dream Beauty could also be seen.

Jong-pyeong hurriedly erased his surprised expression and took a respectful salute posture.

“Ah, you’ve arrived! Sect Master Cheol!”

At that, Hwa-seong and On-ga, meeting him for the first time, also immediately showed proper courtesy.

“Sect Master Cheol, greetings. I am Hwa-seong of Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am On-ga of Giant Roc Saber Gate.”

Soon Cheol Ryu-heun, having touched ground with his party, casually threw out an indifferent voice.

“Everyone, have you grown your strength?”

Jong-pyeong, having bowed his head, answered on their behalf.

“Yes. Each of us has strengthened our martial prowess through our respective sects’ precious elixirs and great techniques.”

“Good, you’ll be able to do your part.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having responded indifferently, soon headed inside the manor.

“Let’s go in. Now you have to taste hellish pain.”

Hearing those words, On-ga, Hwa-seong, and Jong-pyeong’s complexions turned pale white.

What? I-is he going to beat us out of nowhere?

At that moment.

TUK.

Mun Bin, having approached close, patted Jong-pyeong’s shoulder with a gentle smile.

“Hoo, there’s no need to be so scared. After pain, blessing always follows.”

Following that, Gongse Dan-yeong said meaningfully.

“Though you might die, perhaps.”

Wait, are you telling us to be scared or not to be!

* * *

In the old main hall inside the manor.

Mountain Shattering Sword, who was alone, finished his simple energy circulation and breath regulation and stood up.

‘Indeed… the subtleties of gathering energy and circulating energy have improved. It feels faster and smoother.’

On top of that, his overall internal power level had also rapidly increased since the battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult.

In terms of true energy volume alone, it was enough to compare with ultra-first-rate veteran masters.

‘My strenuous efforts all this time weren’t in vain. Hoo.’

Having quietly smiled, he pictured one person in his mind.

The Vice Master of Broken Mountain Sword Manor and his master, Blue Robe Sword Noble Do Yun.

Without his help along with Cheol Ryu-heun, obtaining such power would have been impossible.

Words he had exchanged with him before suddenly came to mind.

-Did you think I didn’t know? Your hidden power.

-…!

-The previous Vice Master, my master… secretly transmitted all of his internal power to you rather than me before passing away.

-You knew.

-But I didn’t resent it. Rather, through this incident, I’ve newly and more greatly realized that your decision while alive was correct.

-…

-Sa, you are the future of our sect. From now on, I will push you forward with all my strength.

His eyes blazed hot as he gently clenched his fist.

‘Master, I sincerely thank you. The words about hoping I would rise to become a true warrior like Sect Master Cheol – I will engrave them in my bones and diligently train in martial arts. Not becoming complacent with this achievement…’

At that moment, the old door creaked open.

Thus Cheol Ryu-heun along with Mun Bin, Gongse Dan-yeong, Jong-pyeong and others entered the main hall.

Beon-sa quickly straightened his clothes and greeted them warmly.

“Welcome! Sect Master Cheol!”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having strode over, asked with bland eyes.

“The energy inside your body has grown.”

“Haha. Yes, that’s right. The efficacy of the elixir you gave me back then has finally fully manifested. From now on, I should be able to handle most groups with ease. However… I don’t know if it’s at a level that meets Sect Master Cheol’s expectations.”

Beon-sa scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression and thought of Taoist Cheon Mu’s advice from some time ago.

-Perhaps Sect Master Cheol is expecting a second Dark Hall Master.

However.

Mun Bin was too high a wall.

Even at this moment, he had keenly felt it upon meeting him.

The fact that Mun Bin’s martial prowess had improved even more.

That’s right.

He too had developed as much as he himself had.

It was already being clearly conveyed through his sharp energy sensing.

Mun Bin’s tremendous energy…

Cheol Ryu-heun, hands clasped behind his back, read his thoughts and spoke.

“There’s no need to compare yourself to others. Because that level is quite excellent.”

At the unexpected praise, Beon-sa’s expression brightened.

“Ah! I-is that so?”

“Yeah. Don’t get too excited though.”

“Yes!”

At the moment Beon-sa answered as if shouting.

Cheol Ryu-heun quietly turned his head and gave a chin gesture as he spoke.

“All three of you, take off your clothes and lie down.”

At the sudden command, Hwa-seong, On-ga, and Jong-pyeong had bewildered faces.

“Wha…?”

“Here…?”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke with an apathetic expression.

“Starting now, we begin Hair Removal and Body Cleansing. It’s a chance to prove you’re not inferior to the Orthodox talents. Either way, if you don’t want to die, stay sharp.”

* * *

A prison cell blocked by iron bars.

A man lay on the cold floor with his eyes closed.

Currently, he was having a nightmare.

-You should follow after Snake Head too, right?

-W-wait… E-eldest disciple brother…! Hold on…

-Did you think I wouldn’t notice Thousand Snake Gang’s petty scheme.

-Ah… p-please…! Forgive me just once…

His body writhed due to that dream scene.

A voice murmuring something flowed out softly as his parched lips moved.

As if proving it was a terrible nightmare.

-I’m formally issuing your punishment.

-S-senior brother…

-One who tries to fulfill selfish desires first during Master’s mourning period doesn’t deserve to use the sect’s martial arts.

A palm stabbing down at the center of the dream man’s abdomen.

-Peok!

Simultaneously, tremendous pain of his lower dantian shattering like powder assaulted him.

It was clearly a dream, yet how could it be so vivid?

That wasn’t all.

The force that had struck his energy channels also mercilessly ruptured the muscle meridians of his hands and feet.

-Euhaaaaak…!

The sharp sound from the dream burst out of the man’s mouth.

“Euhaaaaak!”

Having screamed and bolted upright, he let out ragged breaths.

“Heok… heok… heok…”

His entire body wrapped in prison clothes was drenched in cold sweat.

At that moment.

From outside the iron bars, a jailer’s voice came knocking at his ears.

“Number One-Zero-Eight, Eul Sa-jeok. You have a visitor.”