Chapter 69

If Tagujang were a Zanpakuto, its release name might be “Break, Tagujang.”


Whether fighting with Banryong or the Heavenly Demon God Sect, it always breaks when fighting.


This is truly unfair.


But even if it’s unfair, there’s nothing we can do.


Because Tagujang is cute, strong, and impressive, it’s bound to be targeted.


I, too, am handsome, have a good personality, and excel in martial arts. Perhaps heaven was jealous, and that’s why I was born with a limp.


It’s inevitable. The fate of the strong.


Quickly pulling my body back, I narrowly dodge a slash aimed at my neck. I block the blade targeting my side with a broken staff.


…So, I should easily overcome this level of crisis.


Focusing my internal energy, I observe two girls, Cheongwon and Okhyung, charging fiercely towards me.


In such a tense situation, I didn’t expect beautiful girls to approach me first…


If only they weren’t holding swords, it would be like a scene from a light novel where a beautiful girl falls from the sky.


Thinking about it now, wishing for someone to fall from the sky is a terrifying childhood memory.


Anyway, that’s not important now.


I use the Empty Clarity Fist to deflect the force of the descending blade, creating an opening, but it’s useless. Like a two-headed snake, when one side creates an opening, the other fills it.


This isn’t the skill of someone who’s only exchanged a few blows. They complement each other’s weaknesses and relentlessly press the enemy.


In Go terms, I’m gradually losing places to build my territory. There are fewer and fewer places to go.


Moreover, as this process of blocking and being pushed back repeats…


Before I know it, I’m driven into the inn, which I had previously pierced with the Ice Breaking Palm, leaving me with nowhere to escape.


“Kuhuhu~ I expected more from someone who boldly challenged the master~ but it’s nothing special.”


Okhyung sneers at Mantian, while Cheongwon frowns.


“Okhyung, don’t let your guard down. Underestimating your opponent is your bad habit.”


“Always~ always~ nagging. I didn’t underestimate. I’m just disappointed.”


“That’s what underestimating is.”


“Don’t scold her too much. Even though she says that, her attacks have no openings. She’s probably pretending to underestimate to make the enemy let their guard down.”


Cheongwon and Okhyung glare at Mantian, who shamelessly joins their conversation. Their blades grow more menacing.


“It seems we’re the ones being underestimated.”


“…Indeed.”


I’m not underestimating or mocking them. I just want to take control of the situation.


…So, I throw out a cheap provocation.


Despite my sly face, my brown eyes calmly shine like a beast waiting for the right moment.


I throw the broken staff at Okhyung, who is charging fiercely. The already halved staff is cut into pieces by the blade.


Contrary to my previous retreat, I push off the ground and close the distance.


I aim for the small opening created by deflecting the staff, moving my body towards the blades coming from both sides.


The plan is simple. Quickly finish one, then the other.


What’s needed now is a strong basic form to shatter their sticky coordination.


I’d like to use the Fudo Myo-o Step or the Ice Breaking Palm, but the internal energy consumption is too high, and these aren’t the only enemies. I can’t play all my cards here.


Moreover, the Ice Breaking Palm, being a newly mastered technique, takes time to use, risking a counterattack. So here…


I apply the Heavenly Weight Shift to move my center of gravity. I draw out the King of Hell’s energy, adding more weight to my left arm.


I prepare to unleash the King of Hell Fist, a technique I sealed away following Mukgang’s advice.


I recall the sensation of past battles and throw a punch.


The King of Hell’s strike that crushes everything…


“What’s this? This slow punch-?”


It doesn’t land. My body, having used the Heavenly Weight Shift, stiffens, and the rhythm is off.


‘Hoping for luck twice in a fight is suicidal.’


Mukgang’s calm voice echoes in my head.


I thought since I’ve trained a lot and mastered the Heavenly Weight Shift, I could use it in real combat. Apparently not.


‘Damn… I should have listened to uncle…’


But it’s too late for regrets.


Gritting my teeth, I quickly release the basic form and use the Empty Clarity Fist to block the blades aiming for my neck, but my exposed torso is hit by Cheongwon and Okhyung’s palm strikes.


“Keuk-!?”


A momentary mistake tips the balance of the tightly contested fight. Unable to withstand the impact, my body spits blood and flies into the wall.


Kwaang-!!


In my fading vision, I see the enemies approaching to finish me off.


I need to regain my senses, I need to move my body.


But it doesn’t go as I wish.


‘You put too much force into the Heavenly Weight Shift. You need to relax your body a bit.’


In the end… what did that mean…?


For some reason, I recall an unknown someone’s advice as I fall into the abyss of unconsciousness.


‧


‧


‧


“Wake up… Cheon… Mantian-!”


A strong yet kind voice calls me, and I slowly open my eyes. I’m in a strange, foggy space.


“Wake up, Mantian-!!”


I see a large, ugly old man with a shining light behind him, shouting at me lying on the ground. It’s the master.


“…Huh? M-Master!?”


“The enemy is the Communist Party that dug up this master’s grave! Get up! Stand up!!”


Judging by the situation, it seems I lost consciousness during the fight and am now dreaming.


“Master… this is an Eastern fantasy martial arts world. There’s no Communist Party here.”


“No Communist Party! That’s a relief! Anyway, get up! You’ll die if you stay like this-!!”


The loud voice wakes me up. But even if I wake up now…


If I can’t properly use the King of Hell Fist, the same result will repeat. So I urgently ask the master.


“Master, w-wait! What does it mean to relax when using the Heavenly Weight Shift for the King of Hell Fist?”


“You already know the answer-!?”


“Huh? What do you mean?”


In my dazed state, I ask a confused question mixed with the doubt I had before fainting. The master looks at me with a baffled expression.


…And since there’s really no time left.


He opens his eyes wide and shouts loudly, imparting his teaching to me as I gradually fade away.


“Supreme good is like water-!!!!!”


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Fortunately, my body moves reflexively in the face of danger.


I quickly use the Ground Roll technique, rolling on the ground. The blade narrowly misses me, embedding itself into the hard wall.


“…Pathetic.”


“Really~ a persistent man.”


Cheongwon and Okhyung watch me roll away, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve realized.


Yes, I’ve realized. I’ve gained enlightenment.


Supreme good is like water, a phrase from Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, meaning the highest good is like water.


Water was the answer.


I just didn’t realize it. I already knew the answer through the experiences I’ve accumulated.


‘The King of Hell’s energy runs wild through the bloodstream. Meditate to control your mind and body.’


‘You put too much force into the Heavenly Weight Shift. You need to relax your body a bit.’


‘Huhu~ The favor I’ve bestowed! Don’t forget to engrave it in your blood!!’


I stop rolling like a baby seal and stand up to fight.


The human body is seventy percent water.


It’s obvious, but if you put too much force and stiffen, you can’t fight properly.


You need to be soft like water. Free.


You need to move swiftly. So…


“Let’s end this now!”


“……”


In other words, it’s simple.


Exhaling, I move my internal energy through the meridians.


‘Shaking heart! Engraving! The beat of blood!’


I throw a punch towards the pouring blades. Like water breaking rocks, I pour the King of Hell’s energy in one go.


‘Ripple Overdrive!!’


I add the weight of the Heavenly Weight Shift at the moment of impact.


King of Hell Fist


Like boiling water reaching a hundred degrees, the dark red King of Hell’s energy blooms from my fist, enveloping my left arm.


The King of Hell’s strike that crushes everything shatters the blade and sends the fragile body flying.


Kwaaang-!!


With a single strike, the tide of battle turns.


“Ok… hyung…?”


Cheongwon stares in disbelief as her companion flies through the wall, enveloped in the dark red energy of Mantian’s left arm.


“What… is that…?”


To this question, Mantian answers calmly and kindly.


“Brazo Izquierda Del Diablo.”


“…What?”


“The Devil’s Left Arm.”


Unable to understand the playful answer, Cheongwon frowns and swings her blue-energized sword, ready to die together.


“Are you… underestimating me until the end!?”


As I said before, I’m not underestimating or mocking.


Double Hands Fighting


I just want to disrupt their pace.


Left- King of Hell Fist, Right- Empty Clarity Fist


Whether it’s fear or anger, I deflect the wildly swinging blade with my right arm and punch the full of openings body.


Once again, the sound of a person flying through the wall echoes loudly.


Kwaaang-!!


…And the inn, shattered by the aftermath of the battle.


Mantian looks at the third hole he made and quietly delivers a famous line for the enemies who flew away, though they can’t hear it.


“Phew… don’t mess with me anymore.”


***


“Sometimes, late-stage cultivators act like they’re dragons or phoenixes, as if they’re something special.”


Mayang, with tears in her eyes, gently strokes Seol Wolhwa’s cheek, a sneer on her face.


“Frogs in a well who don’t know the world’s dangers.”


Wolhwa can’t say anything to that sneer.


All the guards have been subdued, and Sososo, whom she relied on mentally, has flown away somewhere. Moreover…


She looks at the mysterious master before her with golden eyes shaking in fear.


The difference in strength is as vast as heaven and earth.


“Hic, hic…”


Her body trembles like a frog seeing the vast sea of the martial world for the first time.


…Just when she thinks it’s all over.


A loud noise erupts, and the wall of a nearby building breaks, a person flying out and rolling on the ground.


“…Huh?”


“…Okhyung?”


In this completely unexpected situation, everyone, enemy and ally alike, focuses on the broken wall.


Kwaaang-!!


At the same time, the wall breaks again, and Cheongwon, Mayang’s most trusted disciple, flies out unconscious and crashes to the ground.


Thud… thud…


…And under everyone’s gaze, a limping man slowly walks out through the broken wall.


“Hey- you crazy woman, stop bullying the cute kids and play with me.”


He smiles with a wolf-like face.


“I’ll make it fun.”