Chapter 84

Iron Dog Invincible, Nameless Invincible, both nicknames have ‘Invincible’ in them. Even if the Evil Faction is like that, seeing the proud Righteous Faction openly calling someone invincible makes me think they must be really strong.

“Besides that, I found out that his first martial arts master is from Shaolin Temple.”

“…Shaolin Temple? The one I know, right?”

Even though Shaolin is called the origin of martial arts, it’s strange to hear that a disciple who kills people came from a Buddhist sect that prohibits killing.

“Do you know the saying that all martial arts come from Shaolin?”

“That’s a famous saying, of course.”

As I nodded, knowing that Shaolin is the largest force among the Nine Great Clans and that its grand library contains almost all martial arts secrets in the world.

“The true meaning of that saying is a sarcasm that while great martial arts come from Shaolin, dangerous demonic arts also come from Shaolin.”

“…Huh?”

“Sometimes, there are martial monks who, obsessed with martial arts more than Buddha’s laws, walk the path of demons.”

Jaro took out a book containing information about a martial art and handed it to Mantian.

“…Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique?”

Just seeing the name of the martial art gives a strong impression. The character ‘elephant’ in the name is the same as the one for ‘elephant.’

I’ve seen martial arts with dragons or tigers in their names, but this is the first time I’ve seen one with an elephant.

Translated directly, it’s the Dragon Elephant Technique. This can’t be weak.

“Classified as a demonic art due to its danger, it was developed by the Vajra Sect, a branch of Shaolin, to replicate the strength of Vajra warriors in human bodies.”

“…Vajra warriors?”

As I tilted my head at the continuous flow of jargon only he knew.

“Don’t you know? A legendary warrior who was active further west than India, where Buddhism originated…”

Jaro grumbled about studying more but explained in detail.

“A Buddhist martial god who strangled a lion with an indestructible diamond body, lifted a mountain to crush a giant nine-headed snake, and chased a swift doe favored by a goddess until it was exhausted and captured without injury, eventually invading the underworld to defeat a three-headed dog demon.”

That’s… Hercules?!

I never dreamed I’d hear the Hercules myth in the Central Plains.

But thinking about it, Alexander the Great, who called himself the son of Zeus, invaded Persia and reached northern India.

Thus, Greek civilization spread widely, so it’s not strange for deities to transform and merge into other cultures.

Considering that Indra, the main deity of India before Hinduism became dominant, was a blond, strong warrior god.

…Maybe influenced by Zeus?

Then, was Shaolin’s Diamond Body trying to replicate the Nemean lion’s skin? I’m not sure.

Well, it’s fun to imagine.

…But Hercules being a martial artist? How far can martial arts go?

Once again, fantasy admits defeat.

Anyway, I really watched Olympus Guardian every weekend.

And I have a memory of feeling ‘lust’ at the Artemis bathing scene in [Greek and Roman Mythology in Comics].

Anyway, apart from reminiscing, the story continues.

“Once, a martial monk from Shaolin stole the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique manual and fled. Over time, in the martial world, the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique and…”

As he taps the burning tobacco into an iron dish, he ponders the information about the enemy who killed his beloved disciple.

“A assassin skilled in the Spirit Snake Fist, the assassination technique of the White Snake Master, a demon head active in the Silk Desert, appeared.”

Jaro’s already fierce face contorts.

“Nameless Invincible. That guy is a monster with the strength of a Vajra warrior and the cunning of a snake.”

Pure energy flames from his hand.

The Samadhi True Fire burns the remaining tobacco.

***

A notorious martial world outlaw.

Thud-!!

Nameless Invincible, with a slight force, breaks the neck of a female martial artist attacking his employer, the Ilwol God Sect’s elder, Unmu Yong.

The woman, with her neck broken, collapses like a puppet with its strings cut.

Seeing this, her companion’s eyes widen as he glares at Nameless. His grip on his sword tightens.

“A child…! Don’t you have any honor as a martial artist?!”

At the martial artist’s incomprehensible anger, Nameless looks puzzled, glancing at the teenage girl’s corpse, then back at the martial artist pointing his sword at him.

“Uh… you can see it. So what?”

“You evil bastard-!!”

Unable to bear the calm question, the martial artist explodes his internal energy, ready to die, unleashing a desperate technique.

Hundred Transformations Thousand Illusions Mount Heng Mist Thirteen Forms

Following the thrust sword, afterimages, thirteen sword shadows appear, creating countless variations like the clouds and mist floating over Mount Heng, unleashing unpredictable sword strikes.

Bang-!!

…And with the sound of Nameless’s fist striking the air, the martial artist’s upper body flies off.

“It’s really strange. I’d understand if you called me trash for killing people.”

Nameless mutters, looking at the remaining lower body of the martial artist.

“Some people get especially angry when women or children are killed.”

He turns his head, smiling faintly at Unmu Yong.

“Life is precious, whether it’s a man, woman, old person, or child.”

Unmu Yong, glancing at the corpses on the ground, responds with a bewildered face.

“That’s not something a killer who kills people should say.”

“Haha… today’s killer joke. Half serious, though.”

Is he really pushing that joke? Unmu Yong’s brow naturally furrows.

“By the way, what martial art did you use to break the enemy’s technique just now?”

Honestly, the martial artist Nameless just defeated wasn’t weak. If alone, Unmu Yong would have struggled against the desperate technique and other attackers’ combined strikes.

“Uh… just a straight punch. Due to the characteristics of the martial art I learned, my physical abilities are good, and my basic training to the extreme is no different from a desperate technique.”

“Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique… an invincible martial art.”

At Unmu Yong’s muttered words, a moment of seriousness flashes across Nameless’s face.

“No, that’s not it. It’s strange for someone with the nickname ‘Invincible’ to say this, but…”

“There’s no such thing as an invincible martial art in the world. There are affinities and weaknesses.”

While defeat is usually a shameful memory for martial artists, Nameless coolly recounts his past defeats.

“My first master who taught me the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique? After killing the orphanage director who raised me, I worked alone for a while. I once worked with bandits because they offered food.”

‘…You work with anyone who offers food?’

Just like the prince who killed for chicken porridge, you really love food.

Though there’s much to say, Unmu Yong, curious about the martial artist who defeated the currently invincible assassin, doesn’t interrupt.

“At that time, I happened to fight an old man, the Eight Feet Old Monster…”

“What? You fought the Eight Feet Old Monster?!”

“I was completely defeated by his Empty Clarity Fist, a technique that turns the opponent’s strength into nothing, making attacks futile.”

Unmu Yong’s usually calm face shows surprise, but Nameless just nods, recalling the past.

“Clearly, I was attacking, and he was only defending. But I was gradually pushed back, feeling my strength drain, as if bewitched by a demonic force…”

“I ran away at full speed, jumping over mountains without looking back.”

He twists his wrist, mimicking the Eight Feet Old Monster’s gesture.

“No matter how strong the force, if you change its direction, it becomes useless.”

As he speaks, something occurs to him, and a smile suddenly appears on Nameless’s face.

“By the way… Unmu Yong, useless thing. The characters in the name are the same. What a coincidence.”

Unmu Yong’s already pale face, having turned his body into a zombie, rapidly decays.

“It’s taken from ‘useless thing.’ It means a worthless outcast who’s no help to the Chenzhou Yan family.”

Nameless’s mouth opens, his pupils shaking incessantly.

“I… I didn’t mean to mock… I’m sorry.”

“Enough. So, can you beat the Eight Feet Old Monster now?”

“…Huh?”

At the sudden question, Nameless tilts his head, but Unmu Yong is firm.

“I hired you as the strongest assassin who can kill anyone. Don’t say weak things like you might lose.”

Considering the employer’s demand, Nameless closes his eyes, rubbing his chin, calculating the estimate.

Hmm… back then, I was just a kid not even twenty.

Later, I met my second master, the White Snake Master, and learned not just to push with strength but to apply it in fights, and various techniques.

Now, I might have a chance, but fights aren’t something you can control, and you shouldn’t underestimate the opponent or be sure of victory.

“The Eight Feet Old Monster is basically a scholar. If it’s a martial arts technique fight, I’ll lose.”

He couldn’t say for sure he would win.

“I’m an assassin.”

But he doesn’t say he’ll lose either.

Contrary to his unconfident tone, Nameless’s muddy eyes flash like a snake’s.

“In a fight to kill, I might win… I think?”

But originally, losing to the Eight Feet Old Monster made me realize the need for technique.

So I sought out the White Snake Master, known as the greatest assassin of the time.

Meeting Sima Family Head and Mantian, even having a niece now.

Now, I’m rather grateful.

I don’t really want to fight unless there’s a special reason.