Chapter 376: Stagnant Water is Bound to Rot (1)
Paaang!
The atmosphere shook at the lightly thrown fist.
It didn’t contain powerful internal energy, nor was its speed immensely fast, but the atmosphere spread out drawing transparent concentric circles centered on the fist.
“How is it?”
At the absolute being’s question, the woman bowed her head.
“It is a realm that I dare not even imagine as I am now.”
“Of course it is. However, since you seem to have recognized the martial principles embedded in this seemingly ordinary fist, your enlightenment doesn’t seem far off either.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. Rather, I am sorry. I was busy with work and couldn’t properly teach my disciple, so I have no face as a master.”
A strange light emanated from the woman’s eyes.
The master she knew was not a person who would say such things to a disciple. He was an endlessly blunt and cold master.
“There are countless martial arts in the world. Hundreds of martial arts are buried every day, and hundreds of martial arts are also born. However, what all those martial arts pursue is one thing.”
“…”
“Death.”
“…”
“A person dies if their neck flies off or their heart bursts. They die even if they bleed a lot, and even a simple wound can rot and kill them if not managed properly. They can even die from pain alone. People are that fragile.”
The absolute being withdrew his fist.
“In the end, the essence of martial arts lies in me living and killing the opponent. Half-baked people deluded by useless teachings act like gentlemen and believe there is a Tao in martial arts, but that is literally just an armchair theory. Martial arts are not like that.”
The absolute being raised his index finger.
“It’s exactly this length. Even if a hole of this depth and this thickness is made in the head or chest, a person dies. And all martial arts under heaven are fighting techniques created to efficiently produce this result.”
“…”
“Therefore, good martial arts have no redundancies and are neat. So the Tao can be contained within it. Such martial arts are exactly what are called first-rate.”
He said there is no Tao in martial arts, but in the end, he says Tao can be contained in martial arts.
In other words, there is no Tao in martial arts, so it is inevitable that it is people who contain that Tao.
The absolute being, Yang Cheon, spoke.
“In order to step into martial arts, the Martial Tao, understanding the essence honestly is more important than anything else. Once you perfectly embody that essence later, you can turn a ten-thousand-catty boulder into powder even with the ordinary fist from just now.”
“Yes.”
Yang Cheon smiled.
“I do not doubt that this realm will come to you too sooner or later. You have improved surprisingly while I haven’t seen you. You have truly worked hard.”
The woman closed her eyes.
“They are words too difficult to bear. Without Master’s outstanding teachings, it was an achievement I wouldn’t dare to accomplish.”
Yang Cheon smiled and sat on the Master chair.
“The Central Plains is wide. And there are many strong people. Perhaps, there might be far more strong people living in seclusion than those who have made a name for themselves in the world.”
“I am experiencing it firsthand.”
“Since you have defeated those many strong people and finally reached your current position, I want to give you a big reward.”
“The one fist Master has shown me is a reward more precious than any treasure. Making that one fist my goal, I will devote myself day by day.”
“Heoheoheo.”
Yang Cheon burst into hearty laughter.
“It’s truly like you. Yes, you were always like that. Although your talent was not as exceptional as the eldest, and you were not as good at fighting as the third, you always silently walked your own path.”
“…”
“That effort of yours has finally bloomed now. Even if it’s the eldest or the third, it won’t be easy for them to deal with you as you are now.”
The woman’s eyes shone.
She was a person who feared nothing in the world except her master. So she never thought of surpassing her master or trying to beat her master.
However, there were two opponents she definitely wanted to crush. They were exactly the Eldest Senior Brother and the third that her master mentioned.
Her master had never once said anything to her about the Eldest Senior Brother and the third until now. Such a master mentioned the two of them.
‘He didn’t say it won’t be easy to win, but he said it won’t be easy to deal with.’
In other words, her achievements could be said to be equal to or greater than the Eldest Senior Brother or the third.
She calmly managed the joy welling up.
Yang Cheon asked.
“Since your martial arts have improved that much and you’ve done your assigned tasks beyond expectations, I will call you to the headquarters sooner or later. You have worked hard.”
“Thank you.”
“Before that.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes became sharp at once.
“I did not receive a separate report regarding the Putuo Hermitage matter. I assume you handled it properly?”
The woman, Bu Seon, bowed her head again.
“I released invisible poison into clean water, so the Putuo Hermitage won’t be able to intervene in Jianghu matters for the time being.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am sure. Originally, when a group that has never experienced conflict falls into chaos, only then does desire sprout. They won’t be able to step into the Jianghu for at least three years in order to drag the position of the next Sword Empress to their own branch.”
Only then did Yang Cheon give a satisfied smile.
“Well done. You did well until the end.”
“Thank you.”
“And one more thing.”
Yang Cheon frowned slightly.
“Did you receive a separate contact from the Yin God’s side?”
“I haven’t received any. He hasn’t reported on time even once for nearly half a year.”
Kkadeudeuk!
The armrest of the Master chair made of iron was miserably crushed as if grasping mud. It was the result created by Yang Cheon’s terrifying grip strength.
“He’s an interesting guy. He’s a truly interesting guy. Well, since he hasn’t been able to exchange contact with the Black Sheep at headquarters, he himself must have noticed that something was strange.”
“…”
“I understand. You’ve worked hard on your journey. Go back now and rest…”
It was then.
“Manor Lord.”
At the voice heard from afar, Yang Cheon’s eyes shone.
“What’s the matter, White Rat.”
“A guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
It was a situation where not many people even knew of the existence of the Black Dragon Manor. Let alone a guest of the Manor Lord?
“The Murong Clan Head has come to visit in person.”
In an instant, Yang Cheon’s eyes spewed fire.
A moment later.
Huk!
From afar, in the thick forest, Murong Jun felt an uncommon tension from the powerful qi wave stretching out.
Sabaksabak.
The sound ringing from the ground with each and every step was unimaginably eerie.
“My, I didn’t expect you to come visit without notice like this.”
“…”
“As you know, I am not an idle person. At first, I intended to send you back. But somehow I didn’t have a good premonition. Therefore, I put down my work for a moment and came to find you in person.”
Ignorant pressure could be felt from the calm voice.
‘As expected.’
Murong Jun closed his eyes.
‘A powerhouse of Saintly Heaven… although this is only my second time facing him, he truly transcends imagination.’
The qi wave, voice, and presence… every element transcends common sense.
The 1st Martial General? There was no comparison. Master Kong-kong? He had never seen his full power, but he could be certain he could never give this level of pressure.
If it was Yeon Wi’s Absolute One Sword, he might be able to inflict a wound on a powerhouse of this level. But since he was a master who couldn’t be compared in fundamental capabilities, he wouldn’t just take such a sword strike with his eyes wide open.
‘It’s funny. Unless it’s a previous generation master of the White Path, no master of the current Murim Alliance can be this man’s opponent.’
The outing of a great giant of a generation who had transcended all human and martial arts limits.
Yang Cheon appeared.
“Have you arrived.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.
“Did you come alone?”
“That’s right.”
With Yang Cheon’s skills, he can hear not only the animals inhabiting this area but also the small flutter of insects’ wings. It was the reason Murong Jun could not lie.
Even so, the reason Yang Cheon asked like that was fundamentally because he did not trust Murong Jun.
“I said I am not an idle person, didn’t I?”
“I heard you.”
“So it would be good to choose your words carefully. If I feel that you have wasted my time even a little bit, I will tear off half of your roots.”
Murong Jun’s roots. It meant the Murong Clan of Hunan.
Murong Jun spoke calmly.
“I am also not an idle person, so I won’t drag out the time uselessly.”
“A wise judgment. But before that, isn’t there one thing we have to argue about?”
“What is it?”
Killing intent was revealed in Yang Cheon’s eyes.
“You didn’t contact me separately. Furthermore, you chased away the attendant I sent along with your daughter.”
“…”
“If you can’t explain it properly to me, this utterly precarious relationship of ours will end as of today. And unless we are together, you are an obvious enemy, so I’ll have to kill you on this spot.”
“…”
“Speak. What is the reason you broke our promise and acted as you pleased.”
Murong Jun looked at Yang Cheon with deep eyes.
‘An incredible powerhouse. There’s no room for doubt. The saying that he can take on a large sect alone is by no means an empty boast. I can’t even imagine how many years I’d have to train from now to reach a realm like that man. However…’
He could read sincere anger and damaged pride in Yang Cheon’s eyes and face.
‘As a martial artist, he is a person worthy of respect, but as a leader, he is not first-rate.’
Someone of Yang Cheon’s level is a sufficiently excellent leader. It was generally so.
However, Murong Jun thought that when limited to a leader, Yang Cheon’s capabilities were not that great. The reason he felt that only now was probably because Yang Cheon’s presence was that immense.
‘He roamed the world alone and fought against the world, but it hasn’t been long since he properly operated an organization.’
A small smile hung on the corners of Murong Jun’s mouth.
‘It means that even a transcendental powerhouse like him can’t do anything about his lack of experience.’
Yang Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.
“The answer?”
“I will answer. But since there is a matter ten thousand times more important than this answer, can I tell you that first and then answer you?”
“…You are a truly interesting person. In some aspects, it’s to the point of eliciting admiration. I’ve seen many people until now, but I’ve never seen a person act so insolent in front of me like you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I decline wordplay! If you don’t answer right away…!”
“You probably know of the bastards called the Three Cults?”
“…What?”
“You don’t know? Then I will put it differently. Do you know the Evil Lust Cult?”
Huk!
In an instant, Yang Cheon’s aura changed.
It became even fiercer, but that qi wave was not directed towards Murong Jun.
The emotion cast on Yang Cheon’s face was surprise. It was not a feigned reaction but sincere. He was purely surprised.
Murong Jun’s eyes deepened.
“So it was like that. You also knew well about them, Manor Lord Yang.”
“You bastard…”
Huuuuung!
The pouring qi wave suddenly burned hot.
Murong Jun felt his breathing become stuffy for a moment. Yang Cheon’s aura burning with confusion and anger, doubt and passion was sweeping over Murong Jun’s whole body.
Yang Cheon asked in a sharp voice.
“How do you know about the Evil Lust Cult?”
Rip!
In an instant, lightning qi rose from Murong Jun’s body.
The qi wave burning with passion was not Yang Cheon’s exclusive property.
Murong Jun glared at Yang Cheon with eyes full of anger. It was a truly passionate anger, whose density didn’t lack in the slightest compared to the Combat King Yang Cheon.
“You mean you knew about those bastards, yet you were holed up in this retarded cave acting like the boss?”
“What?”
Murong Jun yelled out.
“When those lowly things from outside the Great Wall are trying to swallow the Central Plains whole right now, are you not being asked if you were just trying to stuff your own belly instead of chewing up those dog-like bastards!!”