Chapter 85

Mantian stared curiously at the three-colored true flame conjured by Jaro before shifting his gaze to the Martial Alliance Leader, the supreme figure of the righteous faction in the martial world. He spoke firmly, “Senior Brother, I get that this ‘Invincible Invincible’ guy is dangerous. Now, tell me more.”

What I really wanted to know wasn’t how strong this ‘Invincible Invincible’ or ‘Weak Weak’ guy was. “Why would I, Sima Mantian, the genius who even deceives the heavens, lose to that brute, Snow Peony? Why would Sososo have to see someone she cares about get hurt?”

“Because you’d lose if you fought him. His level is higher than yours,” came the blunt reply, leaving Mantian dumbfounded.

“…Huh? I’d lose? Me, Sima Mantian? Senior Brother, have you lost your mind?”

“You little brat! I’m giving you advice, and this is how you talk to your senior brother?!” Jaro’s palm flew out, smacking Mantian’s head with a loud *thwack*.

“Gah?!”

“Honestly, all my disciples are hopeless.”

…If you think about it, isn’t it that the upper stream must be clear for the lower stream to be clear? Isn’t Senior Brother Jaro also part of the ‘rotten water’? But Mantian kept that thought to himself, knowing he’d get smacked again if he spoke it aloud. Besides, that wasn’t the important issue right now.

“From what I see, the gap between him and me isn’t that big. Why are you so sure I’d lose?”

Given the nature of the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique, which focuses on pure energy accumulation rather than speed, my internal energy might be lacking, but I still think I’m quite strong at the late-stage level. That’s why Jaro’s certainty of my defeat didn’t make sense, and I pressed him for an explanation.

“It’s not about first-rate or peak-level realms,” Jaro grumbled, explaining further. “It’s about the stages of learning: Shu (守), Ha (破), and Ri (離).”

Shu (守) – The stage of thoroughly mastering and internalizing the basics taught by the master.

Ha (破) – The stage of breaking free from the master’s teachings, blending in one’s individuality and applying them creatively.

Ri (離) – The stage of leaving the master’s influence behind and creating one’s unique techniques.

“Snowflake Sword Technique. That guy fused the Plum Blossom Sword Technique taught by our master with the Ice Energy of the North Sea Ice Palace. If you’re at Shu, then Mo Dan is at Ha.”

The memory of the dazzling snowflakes from the inn battle flashed in Mantian’s mind, and the cold wounds from that fight tingled anew.

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that your talent is lacking. It’s just that you’re too greedy.”

“…Greedy?”

When Mantian tilted his head in confusion, Jaro nodded lightly.

“Dog Chasing Stick Technique, Jeonjin Sect martial arts, and even esoteric techniques from the secret sects. Any one of these, if mastered properly, could make you famous across the martial world. But you’re trying to take them all at once. You don’t even have time to make them your own, let alone blend in your individuality.”

In simpler terms, you should focus on digging one well properly, but your greed makes you dig here and there, leaving your proficiency lacking.

…But what can I do? Everything looks fun! Is it my fault?

Honestly, there are just too many enticing martial arts in the world.

“Mo Dan, that guy, poured all his talent into mastering the Plum Blossom Sword Technique taught by our master. That level of dedication is remarkable for his age.”

As Jaro spoke, a question arose in Mantian’s mind.

“What… is his goal, exactly?”

A guy so obsessed with the martial arts taught by his master that he even fused his family’s secret ice energy into it. Yet, he’s willing to abandon the teachings of righteousness, which are more important than martial arts, to achieve his goal. What is he after?

“That guy is infatuated with our master in a different way than you are.”

Jaro, seemingly with a headache, pulled out a second cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

“Rehabilitation of honor. His goal is to become the Martial Alliance Leader and remove our master from the list of martial world criminals.”

That’s absurd.

To restore the honor of the master who taught righteousness and camaraderie, he’s willing to discard righteousness itself.

What a mess.

…And one more thing I don’t understand.

“Can’t you just do that for him, Senior Brother?”

Mantian looked at the senior brother who already wore the hat of the Martial Alliance Leader. If the disciple is the Alliance Leader, why is the master still a criminal? Is it a political issue?

“Me? Why?”

…But contrary to my expectations, it was a completely different issue.

“That guy’s a criminal. I can’t just release him for personal reasons.”

Jaro looked at his young, spirited disciple with the wrinkled face of an old man.

“As a disciple, I respect and am grateful to him. But that’s one thing, and this is another.”

“Since you’re not born into a martial family, you tend to take lightly the act of stealing martial arts, heavily influenced by our master.”

The strange old man who roamed the world stealing martial arts.

“The Eight-Foot Old Freak is a criminal who caused chaos in the martial world.”

A being who, while denying superstitions, became a superstition himself that martial artists hesitated to speak of.

“As the Martial Alliance Leader, I can’t openly tolerate such a being.”

Jaro exhaled the bitter smoke of his cigarette. Being the Alliance Leader was such a headache.

“At best, I can turn a blind eye.”

*Knock knock!*

Before Mantian could respond, the door was knocked, and a secretary-like person entered.

“Alliance Leader, sorry to interrupt. There’s an urgent matter… The leader of the Beggar Sect, the Golden Beggar Immortal, has arrived.”

“That old man never comes when called, only showing up during festivals. Serve him some tea and have him wait a moment.”

From the looks of it, an important guest had arrived.

There was more I wanted to say, but I had already gotten the necessary information. It didn’t feel right to keep a busy person any longer, so I tactfully stood up, bowed to my senior brother, and left the room.

***

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Evil Dog Blocks the Path

What to do when a fierce dog blocks your way?

With nothing else to do and feeling restless, I practiced my martial arts in a corner of the training ground.

…Honestly, my mind is a mess.

Guhae, Yeonghwa, and even Sososo. Why are there so many girls with complicated circumstances around me?

Wait, now that I think about it, Guhae, who only had a dragon for a father, is actually an angel.

Her personality is the simplest and kindest.

‘The snacks are delicious! Mantian, let’s eat together!!’

Well, considering we were kids back then…

Anyway, I miss Guhae. I want to squish her soft, mochi-like cheeks and heal my soul.

A cool breeze brushed against my sweaty neck.

The image of Sososo, her lips pale, leaning against me, flashed in my mind.

I tightened my grip on the staff and began practicing the basic forms.

Sorry, Guhae. There’s something I need to take care of before we meet.

Repeating the movements, I pushed the proficiency of the basic forms, which I had grown complacent with, to their limits.

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“Hoh~ Using the staff to perform the Dog Chasing Stick Technique reduces its power, but it has its own light and nimble charm.”

How long had I been practicing? A voice called out from somewhere, and I turned my head.

“…But judging by the heaviness at the tip of the staff, it seems you have some worries.”

Before I knew it, a man with an odd aura, dressed in pure white silk and holding a bamboo staff, was watching me. He looked both young and old at the same time.

“…Who are you, sir?”

Though he appeared young, his strange demeanor suggested he was a master who had achieved the state of returning to youth. I addressed him respectfully.

He was probably an elder of the Martial Alliance or a senior master here on business.

“Just a passing beggar. I heard there’s a big festival with dragons and phoenixes dancing, so I came to get some feast food.”

“For a beggar, you’re quite clean.”

I gestured to his spotless white silk robe.

“Listen, young man, I’m a beggar because I have no money, not because I’m dirty.”

The self-proclaimed ‘passing beggar’ chuckled and retorted.

“Is there anyone in the world who dislikes cleanliness? Even beggars prefer to be clean.”

…That’s true.

“So, what brings you to me?”

Though his words made sense, I remained wary of this mysterious master.

“Well, as I was walking, this Dog Chasing Staff guided me here.”

The beggar smiled mysteriously and lightly tapped the ground with his bamboo staff.

“So I followed, and here I am, seeing a young man who seems troubled. Is that reason enough?”

Wow~ This guy named his staff and travels with it?

Officer! There’s a weird person here!!

…But what can I say? I feel a strange sense of kinship.

‘Ta-gu! Ta-gu!!’

I glanced down at Tagujang.

So naming and cherishing your weapon isn’t such a strange hobby after all.

What is this? It feels like dog owners meeting during a walk and introducing their pets. I lifted my staff and introduced Tagujang.

“Ah~ So it’s called the Dog Chasing Staff. It looks quite elegant. Mine is called Tagujang.”

“Tagujang? Dog Beating Staff? A staff for beating dogs…”

The beggar stroked his chin, nodded, and smiled pleasantly.

“That’s a good name. It’s been given a good name.”