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00331  Celestial Realm (천계)  ————————————————————————=

The person standing before me certainly resembled Yong Junil, whom I had seen before. He wasn’t a recluse, but he was a handsome middle-aged man with a well-groomed body. What was most striking was that he seemed to exude very little Qi (기). I realized something about a certain level of mastery from that fact.

‘ Return to Simplicity!’

Qi reaches its peak efficiency by concentrating and converging into a single point. This state spontaneously adjusts to explosively release one’s true energy from this focal point, a technique controlled by peak experts with their intent—this is what return to simplicity was about.

I had also reached the realm of return to simplicity, but I still wasn’t quite accustomed to it. It required quite a bit of innate sensitivity, so one had to manage it carefully with their intent. In contrast, Yong Junil before me seemed to completely conceal his Qi within himself without revealing a hint of it.

My heart grew heavy.

I faintly grasped Yong Junil’s true martial arts level now, something I had completely overlooked before due to lack of perspective. Knowing this made the situation far more burdensome.

Yong Junil was strong!

Strong enough for Jin So-cheong to need to draw her spear!

In response to Jin So-cheong’s question, Yong Junil glanced at the three fallen experts of the Namgung Clan and spoke.

“This is the Yangtze River, and Huangshan isn’t far from here. I happened to come here to enjoy the scenery of the river with the elders.”

“……”

Both Jin So-cheong and I wore a dumbfounded expression.

How could he be so shameless!

It was obvious that Yong Junil had aimed to annihilate the Namgung Clan’s masters after a deal gone wrong. Yet, he casually brushed it off as if nothing had happened! Jin So-cheong glared at him and calmly replied.

“So, you were just enjoying the scenery, huh? But I just read your lips to eavesdrop on your conversation.”

“Hmm…? What did I say?”

“The people of the Namgung Clan greeted you, and you responded. Then they requested the secret techniques of the Wind Spirit Sect.”

“And then?”

“And just moments before, you attacked them with shadow techniques and killed them.”

With a thick-skinned grin, Yong Junil tilted his head at Jin So-cheong’s directness.

“What’s the problem with that?”

“What…?”

Yong Junil then pointed at the corpse of the one who had been instantly killed by shadow techniques.

“The Namgung Clan has already been expelled from the Five Great Families, and their wicked deeds have been publicly exposed by you, Jin So-cheong. They have been ostracized from the martial arts community around Anhui Province and are secretly designated as a target for annihilation. And yet they dare ask me about the martial arts of the White Lotus Sect? Isn’t that pure heresy?”

“……”

So shameless.

“I, as the Leader of the Nine Great Sects, can’t let such wicked people go unchecked.”

I was flabbergasted and my face distorted.

‘ Crazy guy!’

I knew that Yong Junil was actually the eldest son of Yong Bi-cheon, the Dharma Guardian of the Wind Spirit Sect, and also a master of the sect. He held the position of Leader of the Nine Great Sects but was also a senior member of the White Lotus Sect. And yet here he was, committing slaughter while being so brazen about it!

Of course, Jin So-cheong knew this too, which is why he wore an angry expression. But after a moment of thought, he said to Yong Junil.

“That’s true. However, fortunately, two of them survived.”

The eyes of the people shifted towards me. I was guarding the two Namgung Clan experts who were trembling in fear behind me. Three out of the five had been killed by Yong Junil, but thanks to Jin So-cheong’s quick intervention, he had saved the two.

Yong Junil glanced at the survivors and replied.

“Hand over those two. If you leave them alive, people will suspect you of siding with the Namgung Clan.”

“Yong Leader.”

“What is it?”

Jin So-cheong’s eyes sparked with fire.

“Stop it. I can determine life or death with you here.”

With a swift motion, Jin So-cheong raised his spear horizontally, displaying a terrible aura that caused Yong Junil’s guards flanking him to hesitate and take a few steps back.

“Ugh…!!”

“A monster!!”

From their faces and demeanor, it was clear they weren’t elders of the Huashan Sect. I had never seen such faces before. Observing the company of guards surrounding Yong Junil, I thought.

‘ They must be experts of the Wind Spirit Sect.’

Yong Junil had come here intending to cut ties, so he likely hadn’t brought along any Huashan Sect elders who might get him more involved. From that perspective, he didn’t seem very pleased with the current situation either.

Oh!

Yong Junil stood tall like a mountain, brushing off Jin So-cheong’s aura, and then waved his hand casually. This momentarily suppressed Jin So-cheong’s aura, causing his eyebrows to twitch. Yong Junil’s intent, evident from his earlier powerful display, had just momentarily broken free.

As Yong Junil brushed off Jin So-cheong’s aura, he grunted softly.

“Uh… it was more than I expected. So, the rumors about you annihilating the Namgung Clan with your bare hands are true? Frankly, I don’t want to be enemies with you, Jin So-cheong.”

The sincerity in Yong Junil’s expression was palpable. But given his unknown nature, I couldn’t help but be cautious. Jin So-cheong gave him a long look before speaking.

“If Yong Leader intends to kill these two, I can only fight with all my might.”

“Huh huh, don’t worry. I won’t go so far as to end your life over such trivial matters. It wouldn’t be good for me to fight in such a shabby place.”

Yong Junil continued with a baffling smile.

“I shall take my leave now. The scenery of the Yangtze River is a world-class beauty, and I’d like to enjoy it more.”

“You’re leaving?”

Jin So-cheong took a large step forward.

“Who gave you permission!”

Clang, clang!

At that moment, the guards beside Yong Junil tensed, drawing their swords simultaneously. Bright blue energy radiated from their blades, which was a signature of the Wind Spirit Sect. The tension escalated instantly, and Yong Junil waved his hand to calm them down, then gazed at me.

“That boy over there looks like quite the expert. No, is he a Half-Transition Master?”

“……”

“The martial world is indeed vast. There are many reclusive experts I know nothing about.”

Muttering to himself, Yong Junil continued.

“Jin So-cheong. Take this.”

Bam!

Yong Junil pulled out a divine token from inside his clothes and tossed it to Jin So-cheong. The speed at which the token flew through the air was astonishing, capable of overwhelming a typical expert who dared try to catch it and might even get killed. Not to mention, it had his intent mixed in, adding tremendous weight to it.

However, Jin So-cheong easily caught it, and Yong Junil remarked as if he anticipated that.

“When the time is right, come to my main base with that.”

“What reason do I have to go to the Huashan Sect?”

“Well? I’m sure you’ll find a reason sooner or later.”

With a sly grin, Yong Junil turned away.

“See you next time.”

Finishing his words, Yong Junil and his entourage swiftly left the riverbank with a light-body technique. Jin So-cheong could have attacked them, but he merely stood and watched. Then he turned to me and said.

“Baek Woong, are those two okay?”

“They’re fine, just scared.”

Even as I spoke, I felt a sense of disbelief. The two Namgung Clan experts behind me were seasoned first-class swordsmen, but they had been completely overwhelmed by the remnants of Yong Junil’s shadow technique, leaving them psychologically defeated. The fact that they managed to swing their swords at all felt miraculous, as they were paralyzed by fear.

‘ What kind of martial arts was that?’

It must have been a secret technique of the Wind Spirit Sect, but I had never heard of a shadow technique that could easily subdue a first-class expert. While I was infusing Qi into their acupoints to treat them, Jin So-cheong spoke.

“Mangnyang. I told you not to engage, so you stopped, but is everything alright?”

Swish!

Suddenly, Mangnyang appeared out of thin air. It seemed he had arrived early using a teleportation technique and was hiding with a stealth technique. He must have been by my side during my earlier conversation with Yong Junil. Mangnyang nodded and said.

“He’s not a suitable opponent to fight suddenly. He’s second in command of the Wind Spirit Sect, so he can’t be dealt with easily.”

“…That’s for sure.”

Jin So-cheong sighed and responded.

“Killing him would be quite the challenge. Even if we all rushed him, someone would at least have to sacrifice an arm.”

I glanced at Jin So-cheong in shock at his words.

“That much, huh?”

“I can’t say I’m confident I’m ahead of Yong Junil. I feel I can win if we fought, but the gap isn’t wide.”

“……!!”

I felt my heart sink.

Jin So-cheong was currently at an unrivaled level among the peak experts of the Central Plains. If the Sword Demon couldn’t handle Jin So-cheong, he could certainly be considered the strongest, aside from the Dharma Guardians. Yet to hear Jin So-cheong speak with such uncertainty?

‘ Yong Junil is that strong…?’

I was taken aback and exclaimed to Jin So-cheong.

“Wait! I don’t understand… that guy doesn’t even have a Heavenly Spirit Pill!”

“I don’t have a Heavenly Spirit Pill either. It seems Yong Junil’s pure martial enlightenment is at an extraordinary level.”

“Wow…”

“It appears Yong Junil is someone who never reveals his true self unless necessary.”

Listening in on our conversation, Mangnyang said with a smirk.

“I agree. An unexpected formidable opponent has emerged.”

“Yong Junil never truly fought against me in my previous lives. If he had gone all out, he could have turned the tables at any moment, yet he chose not to. Why’s that?”

“As I mentioned, he’s the type to endure and persist, aiming to be the last victor. No matter how advantageous the situation, he wouldn’t engage unless there are no variables. However, conversely, if Yong Junil decides to fight, it signifies an extremely dangerous situation.”

“Hmm.”

An extremely cautious peak expert!

Just as Mangnyang stated, it seemed an unexpected ambush had appeared. The true nature of Yong Junil, who had never revealed himself in all my past lives, was slowly unfolding. Mangnyang grinned and said.

“First, let’s hear the situation from these people.”

Following Mangnyang’s lead, I treated the two Namgung Clan experts with medical and acupuncture techniques. After about a meal’s time, they regained their senses and looked at us with complicated expressions. One of them bit their lip and spoke.

“Jin So-cheong, are you toying with us? If you’re going to kill us, then do it!”

“……”

Complicated indeed. It was Jin So-cheong who led to the downfall of the Namgung Clan to begin with. The Namgung Clan masters in front of me were suffering because of their leaders’ wickedness. Jin So-cheong sighed and said.

“I merely asked you to abandon your clan name, I never claimed I would take your lives.”

“Hah! Are you joking?! Damn it!!”

The Namgung Clan expert bellowed in frustration.

“Even if the Clan Leader and the Young Master are bound for death, the Namgung Clan is the foundation we’ve built with all our strength for our entire lives! You want us to abandon it overnight? Don’t make me laugh!! We will fight with everything to protect our clan until the last one remains.”

The moment Jin So-cheong opened his mouth to respond, Mangnyang interjected coldly.

“You are the ones who fail to grasp the situation.”

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