A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

**Chapter 53**

Playing someone else’s life is an incredibly difficult task.

Humans are born with their own sense of self, and this self is not easily changed.

However, for Jo Hwi, it was a bit different.

Having lived as Jo Young-hoon in the present day and already experienced the life of a completely different person, Jo Hwi’s experience of living as Jo Hwi in the central plains allowed him to transcend the self and consciousness he had formed over his lifetime. This gave him the ability to make the most ideal use of “Zao Hua Mian Tian Bian” (the principle of changing fate).

Surprisingly, his day-to-day tasks as Jeong Jo Geol were quite monotonous.

What stood out, however, was the nature of his mission.

It was astounding: his task was to monitor and spy on the numerous sects from the Shaolin temple that had settled in Jeongju.

To have the powerful Shaolin, which was considered a pillar of the martial world, monitored by the same sect of the Nine Gates? This mission was certainly hard to comprehend from a logical standpoint.

But the true identity of Jeong Jo Geol was that of an undercover agent belonging to the Bi Gong Il Maek sect. Jo Hwi immediately realized that the real mastermind behind it all was Bi Gong Il Maek, not the Nine Gates.

Regardless, Jo Hwi diligently carried out his task.

Most of the disciples from Shaolin’s outer sects ran small martial businesses, but there were some who had used their talents to establish their own sects.

The most notable examples were the Guja Bang (Nine Wilds Alliance) and Yongkwon Mun (Dragon Fist Sect), and Jo Geol’s mission was to monitor all the incoming and outgoing goods and supplies to and from these sects.

Monitoring the flow of goods meant assessing the strength of these sects, as it provided insight into the number of warriors they could field and the scale of their assets.

However, based on Jo Hwi’s observations, there was nothing particularly special about these sects.

After all, they were still just small offshoots of the Shaolin sect, and it was clear that their capabilities had limits.

No matter how skilled the masters of the Guja Bang or Yongkwon Mun were, they could never surpass the 72 styles of Shaolin’s martial arts.

The small offshoots could gather no more than a few dozen martial artists, and Jo Hwi found it hard to see the point of spying on them.

To use a talent like Jeong Jo Geol for such a trivial task was a waste!

But time flew by, and soon another month had passed. Jo Hwi could no longer delay his report.

He had originally planned to compile the information he had gathered a month ago and report it.

However, Jo Hwi needed more time to perfect his impersonation of Jeong Jo Geol.

Deceiving the senior members of the Nine Gates and the head of the Uiyeol Clan was far more difficult than fooling the new recruits.

Therefore, Jo Hwi delayed the report under the pretext of tracking important information for the Uiyeol Clan, and in the meantime, he studied Jeong Jo Geol’s subtle habits and expressions with great care.

Today, after fully absorbing these details, Jo Hwi felt confident.

Inside a shabby cloth shop.

Sitting calmly in the secret room, Jo Hwi was organizing the confidential documents with an expression of ease, although inside, his senses were fully alert, and he was tense.

At that moment, an old hunchback entered the secret room.

The hunchbacked old man straightened his back and, after a brief glance at Jo Hwi, gave him a nonchalant look.

He then casually tore open a packet of dried herbs, and with a sly smile, sat across from Jo Hwi.

“It’s been a while, Jo Geol,” the old man said.

With gray eyebrows drooping and two prominent lumps on his forehead, the old man’s messy hair and notable buck teeth matched the description Jo Hwi had heard of the drunk immortal beggar (Chwi Seon Gae).

Jo Hwi calmly took out a bottle of alcohol from his robes.

“This is Gu Hwa Mo Tae Joo. Master.”

At the smell, Chwi Seon Gae’s nose twitched.

“Oho! Well done! You really managed to get this rare drink?”

“Next time, if you want me to run errands, please pay me. Do you know how expensive this is?” Jo Hwi retorted.

Chwi Seon Gae gave a playful look.

“Hah! As your master, the favors I’ve given you are as vast as the ocean, and you speak of repayment?”

“With the amount of money allotted to me, it’s impossible to cover these expenses. Do you think I’ll be happy begging for your sake?” Jo Hwi countered.

“A beggar begging is as natural as a person farting, you fool,” Chwi Seon Gae chuckled.

“I don’t fart,” Jo Hwi responded flatly.

As his disciple buried himself back in the documents, Chwi Seon Gae once again sniffed the alcohol bottle with a wide grin.

“Hmm… indeed, this liquor is superior. Next time, bring me that ‘Seolhwa Shinju,’ I hear it’s quite a fine drink.”

Jo Hwi frowned.

“Isn’t that the expensive wine that’s been causing a stir around the Jiangxi area? How would I be able to get something that expensive?”

“Ah, when your master asks, you just do it. Why are you making excuses?” Chwi Seon Gae retorted shamelessly.

Jo Hwi inwardly sighed, realizing that this old man had no concept of the price of wine.

This wasn’t a drunken beggar; it was more like a drunken troublemaker.

Jo Hwi sighed quietly and pinched the bridge of his nose, recognizing the old man’s habit of causing trouble when he was in a difficult situation.

“Forget it. Let’s get to work, Master.”

“You little rascal.”

Chwi Seon Gae gulped down the entire bottle of Gu Hwa Mo Tae Joo and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before looking at his disciple once more.

“Mm, well then, show me your report.”

Jo Hwi quietly slid the documents, along with the intelligence reports from the new recruits, across to Chwi Seon Gae.

“As you can see, there is nothing unusual. The transaction records are the same as the last report, and there have been no significant changes in the activities of key individuals. However, there was a slight increase in the purchase of grain, likely in preparation for the winter season.”

Chwi Seon Gae nodded indifferently.

“That’s expected. But aside from the usual matters, do you have anything else to report?”

“No.”

Chwi Seon Gae tilted his head slightly.

“Then why didn’t you report this simple matter last time?”

Jo Hwi calmly gave his prepared answer.

“There was progress in my martial arts, and I needed time to refine it.”

“Hah, progress? In martial arts?” Chwi Seon Gae’s eyes lit up with interest. He had never seen a talent like Jo Hwi’s, which surpassed even that of the most skilled disciples.

His curiosity quickly turned toward Jo Hwi.

“Master, what do you think of the ‘Tian Di Guang Long’ (Heaven and Earth Glorious Dragon) in the Hangryong 18 Strikes?”

The Hangryong 18 Strikes, 15th move—Tian Di Guang Long.

The Tian Di Guang Long was one of the most powerful moves in the Hangryong 18 Strikes, known for its sheer strength.

“Fa Cho?” (The opening movement of the strike sequence?)

In martial arts, Fa Cho referred to the first execution of a move after its preliminary phase. The concept of Fa Cho was part of a broader sequence that built on its foundational moves.

“Hangryong (亢龍) strikes first, connects, and continues its attacks in a cycle of offense, as its basic principle,” Jo Hwi explained.

The Hangryong 18 Strikes required the use of a series of movements, as one move would inevitably flow into the next, making it essential to complete a sequence of at least three consecutive strikes once begun.

“And?”

“While the sequence of ‘Seeing the Dragon in the Field’ followed by ‘Two Dragons Drinking Water’ flows naturally, the overly powerful Fa Cho in Tian Di Guang Long seems to disrupt the continuity of the cycle. It prevents the attack momentum, ‘gong yun’ (攻轮), from being properly utilized.”

“Ah…!”

Chwi Seon Gae’s eyes widened. To think that his disciple had already reached such a level.

In fact, the issue Jo Hwi was raising about Tian Di Guang Long—the imperfection in its connection—was a common struggle for anyone who practiced the Hangryong 18 Strikes. It was a flaw that no one had been able to resolve, a challenge faced by every sect leader in the past.

The so-called “Hangryong Zhi Bi” (The Wall of the Overwhelming Dragon) was the term used to describe this critical weakness.

“Have you come up with a solution?” Chwi Seon Gae asked, his voice trembling with excitement.

Jo Hwi shook his head slowly.

“I’ve been training diligently, but as a disciple, I have not yet found a way to resolve it.”

Jo Hwi, having already solved the issue using his advanced martial skills, kept his answer deliberately vague. He had no reason to assist Chwi Seon Gae, who was a stranger to him, in solving this problem.

Chwi Seon Gae let out a disappointed sigh but laughed loudly.

“Haha! Still, well done! Which past sect leader ever faced the Wall of the Overwhelming Dragon during their era?”

“The Wall of the Overwhelming Dragon? What is that?” Jo Hwi asked.

“The imperfection you mentioned in the connection is the only flaw in the Hangryong 18 Strikes. Many sect leaders have tried to overcome it, but none have succeeded. It’s called the Wall of the Overwhelming Dragon,” Chwi Seon Gae explained.

“Ah…!” Jo Hwi pretended to be impressed, though inwardly, he found it absurd.

From a scientific perspective, the solution was relatively simple, yet Chwi Seon Gae was treating it like an age-old, unsolvable puzzle.

Having put on a good show, Jo Hwi felt it was now time to shift the conversation to his real question.

“Master, why does our sect need to monitor the assets of the same Nine Gates sect? Isn’t the Martial World Alliance already overseeing the assets of the Jeongdo Sect?”

Despite being a disciple, Jo Hwi had crossed the line with this question, challenging the sect’s internal affairs.

“The decision comes from the Hangryong Ten Beggars,” Chwi Seon Gae said sternly. “Even this sect leader doesn’t question their authority, and you, a mere disciple, dare to raise doubts?”

The Hangryong Ten Beggars was the decision-making body of their sect, and even the sect leader could not defy their authority.

“I don’t ask for much, Master. But I cannot take pride in monitoring Shaolin’s outer sects like this. As a member of the Nine Gates, I cannot feel any honor in such work. Please assign me to another task.”

Chwi Seon Gae yelled angrily.

“What nonsense are you speaking? When you begged to join the beggars, did you ever think of ideals then? Now, you dare talk about ‘justice’?”

“Master!”

“The eyes of the beggars must see the lowest of the low! In the midst of all the struggles and schemes in the martial world, you dare speak of martial ideals?” Chwi Seon Gae shouted, and Jo Hwi fell silent.

Jo Hwi understood the intention behind Jeong Jo Geol’s role, but if Chwi Seon Gae kept going like this, all his efforts would be thwarted in advance.

“And you are…” Chwi Seon Gae continued.

With a look of intense fury, Chwi Seong-gye tightly closed his mouth.

He then sighed deeply and stared into the air.

“Do you have nothing more to say to this master?”

“……”

Chwi Seong-gye’s gaze was as deep as an abyss.

“You are the most remarkable candidate among the new disciples. If time passes, you may indeed achieve the legend of the Absolute Dragon. But do you know why I have not yet made you a disciple?”

Upon seeing Jo Hwi’s puzzled expression, Chwi Seong-gye let out a deeper sigh and spoke again.

“Hoo… My disciple, my disciple. Is it not time for you to confess to me? Do you still not understand the true danger of our sect?”

At that moment, Jo Hwi realized with certainty.

Chwi Seong-gye knew that Jo Hwi was involved with the Beong Ilmaek, an underground organization, and that he was an agent.

“Master, I… I…”

Chwi Seong-gye, seemingly unwilling to show his emotions, stood up from the table and turned away.

“You are foolish. So very foolish.”

However, the words that followed Chwi Seong-gye’s voice left Jo Hwi frozen, as if turned to stone.

“If you truly were a master of the dark arts, you should have protected yourself until the end. Why did you let go of yourself so easily? Your betrayal is the first reason why you cannot be accepted as a disciple.”

Jo Hwi inwardly cursed, “Damn…”

Things were only getting worse.

Jo Hwi had come to Gaebong because Zhengzhou, a major stronghold of the Man Geum Sanggdan, was nearby. Gaebong, with its vast influence, was certain to know the main activities of the group.

Jo Hwi had made contact with influential members of the sect through an information network.

As he dug deeper, it was like the jackpot was falling into his lap.

“But wait… Isn’t this situation a bit too serious?”

Chwi Seong-gye was no small figure. Though not part of the Seven Great Masters, he was a prominent leader within the orthodox sect, almost of equal fame.

The fact that such a significant figure was involved with Beong Ilmaek made things all the more dangerous.

Jo Hwi was perplexed. He had always surrounded his conversations with a curtain of thought to block any eavesdropping, carefully checking for any possible listeners within a radius of two hundred steps.

It seemed that Chwi Seong-gye had noticed Jo Hwi’s unease and was watching him with a sinister glint in his eyes.

“You’re wondering how I knew, aren’t you?”

“……”

Chwi Seong-gye took another drink from his cup and stroked his beard.

“I was the one who recommended you for the dark business, recognizing your talent. I’m the one who injected the Tracking Scent into your body. Did you think Beong Ilmaek’s operations were so simple?”

“Ha…”

Jo Hwi’s face turned to shock as Chwi Seong-gye’s expression grew more ominous.

“Who is the one who extracted the Tracking Scent from your body and injected it into someone else?”

“……”

“Only a few know our Beong Ilmaek’s methods. Were you recruited by the Night Butterfly? Or perhaps you’ve been consulting with the Crimson Lotus group? What exactly is going on in that head of yours?”

Jo Hwi deduced a lot from Chwi Seong-gye’s words. At least it was clear now that Gaebong, and perhaps even the entire orthodox faction, was under the influence of Beong Ilmaek.

It was astounding.

No one had expected that an entire sect within the Gu Pai Faction could be controlled by Beong Ilmaek.

Chwi Seong-gye, believing Jo Hwi had betrayed him, was now addressing him as a mere pawn of the underground group.

Jo Hwi, trying to maintain his composure, couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“Ha. So, you’re telling me that the master of the righteous sect is bragging about dragging me into the depths of the underworld and personally injecting me with Tracking Scent? And now you’re claiming to be a saint? If you’re a Seon (immortal), then I guess I’m a Buddha!”

“What—what did you say?!”

Jo Hwi’s eyes grew sharper.

“If you were so desperate, what exactly did you want from me? Was it your precious martial arts?”

“You little…!”

Martial arts, of course, was the ultimate prize that someone like Chwi Seong-gye would want. The fact that Chwi Seong-gye was so flustered made it seem like this was true.

“Did you receive the Three Gods’ martial arts?” Jo Hwi mocked.

“Look at you! Your arrogance is through the roof!”

As if he was about to unleash his martial arts, Chwi Seong-gye’s anger flared, but Jo Hwi only laughed louder.

“Hahaha! I guess not all righteous sects are the same! Come on, try learning from the senior of the Changcheon Sword School, you old beggar!”

Chwi Seong-gye, his mind seemingly stunned, stood frozen.

“Damn it! Are you proud of dragging your disciple into the underworld and injecting me with Tracking Scent? Why claim to be an immortal? If you’re an immortal, I guess I can call myself a Buddha now.”

“You truly are insane!”

Chwi Seong-gye’s body started to emit a faint blue haze, signaling the activation of his martial arts. The aura of the **Kangryong Shuncheon Shin Gong** intensified, and he began to display his divine power.

Just as Choi Seon-gae’s **Ta-gubong** (the “Strike Dog Stick”) was about to unleash its full power, Jo Hwi casually glanced around with an indifferent expression.

“It’s so cramped in here.”

Due to having to impersonate Jeong Jo-geol, he hadn’t brought his sword.

If he were to unleash the **Moo-hon** technique, the entire room would likely collapse, which would foolishly draw the attention of the **Bi-gong Il-maek** (a mysterious faction).

At that moment, Jo Hwi’s eyes lit up with interest.

“Wow, that club looks pretty solid.”

With a sly smile, Jo Hwi waved his hand, and in an instant—

“Ugh!”

Choi Seon-gae looked on in shock.

The **Ta-gubong** in his hand had suddenly been pulled towards the enemy.

‘What… no, this can’t be!’

There was no greater humiliation for a martial artist than to have their weapon taken away.

He had spent his entire life with this **Ta-gubong**, and his internal energy, honed to the peak of **Hwa-gyeong** (a supreme martial state), and his physical strength, made him capable of holding it with unshakable grip—something that an ordinary person could never imagine.

Yet, his **Ta-gubong** was taken from him as if it were a child’s toy. How could this happen?

He had no idea what technique had been used to achieve this.

Realizing something, Choi Seon-gae’s eyes flared with an intense rage.

If looks could kill, his gaze would surely have been deadly.

“Who the hell are you?”

Jo Hwi grinned mischievously in response.

“Can’t you tell? I’m your disciple.”

“You madman! You are definitely not Jeong Jo-geol!”

“Oh, so you figured it out?”

Choi Seon-gae could not believe it. The person standing before him looked exactly like his disciple. But this wasn’t the **In-pi Myeon-gu** (a martial disguise technique) at work. Such a technique couldn’t fool his eyes, especially not someone of his experience.

“Reverse Body Transformation Technique?”

If Jo Hwi was using the **Reverse Body Transformation Technique**, a rare and difficult method, the situation would be different.

“You figured it out too late, old man.”

In an instant, Jo Hwi’s figure blurred.

The brutal beating began.

“Thud! Thud!”

“Ah! Aaaah!”

This wasn’t some grand, sophisticated technique or high-level martial art. It was pure strength and overwhelming speed!

Choi Seon-gae, a martial artist who had reached the peak of **Hwa-gyeong**, was being beaten like a dog.

“Uaaah! *Cough*!”

Choi Seon-gae was losing his mind. Even with his supreme martial arts vision, he couldn’t track the opponent’s movements.

He caught fleeting glimpses, but by the time he processed what was happening, he was struck with an intense pain all over his body.

He gritted his teeth and tried to activate his **Ho-shin Gang-gi** (a defensive technique), but it was useless.

Jo Hwi’s **Ta-gubong** smashed right through his defensive energy.

“Ahhh!”

Choi Seon-gae, now fighting with every ounce of strength left, rushed at Jo Hwi.

With his body battered and covered in wounds, he charged forward like a wild boar.

However—

“Thud! Thud! Thud!”

The pain surged again, even worse than before.

Only then did Choi Seon-gae realize what was happening.

The opponent had been adjusting his strength to match what Choi Seon-gae could endure.

Choi Seon-gae, now sprawled out on the floor, felt like he was on the verge of losing consciousness. His battered body, along with his crumbling will, was being slowly consumed.

As the beating subsided, Choi Seon-gae finally saw the true nature of his opponent.

Looking at Jo Hwi’s eyes, which shimmered with a faint white glow, he gasped.

“Absolute Domain!”

It all clicked. In an instant, his opponent had put him through such a relentless beating that his mind was clouded, but now that he had a moment of clarity, he recognized that Jo Hwi was in the realm of **Absolute Domain**.

This was a level of mastery far beyond anything Choi Seon-gae could have ever imagined.

Gritting his teeth, Choi Seon-gae muttered under his breath.

“Ugh… You despicable bastard… If you’re a true martial artist, show your true identity.”

Jo Hwi smirked.

“Old man, you’re breaking the rules now, aren’t you? You know it’s not supposed to be this way. We don’t ask these kinds of questions among **dark merchants**, do we?”

“*Grrr*… You’re not Jeong Jo-geol, are you?”

Despite his disbelief, Choi Seon-gae’s eyes kept glancing nervously at the **Ta-gubong** in Jo Hwi’s hands, looking for an opportunity to reclaim it.

Jo Hwi smiled slyly and tossed the **Ta-gubong** near Choi Seon-gae’s fallen body.

“So, what do you think will happen if you get your hands on that club again?”

Choi Seon-gae quickly grabbed the **Ta-gubong**, his teeth clenched in anger, and rose to his feet.

“You bastard… the **Ta-gubong Law**… is not just a martial technique that can be categorized by level!”

Unlike the **Hwang-ryong 18 Palms** technique, the **Ta-gubong Law** was a unique, secret technique passed down only to the leaders of the **Gaebang**, a distinguished martial tradition.

Jo Hwi had heard of the legendary and intricate 36 variations of the **Ta-gubong Law**.

“Come on, try me.”

“You bastard!”

With a final growl, Choi Seon-gae pushed himself to attack.

The 36 variations of the **Ta-gubong Law** began with the fourth technique, **Ban-jeol-gu-dun** (Reverse Dog Hindquarters), producing an immense wind pressure.

Jo Hwi’s face showed curiosity as Choi Seon-gae’s **Ta-gubong** technique transformed before his eyes.

The movements shifted from **Ban-jeol-gu-dun** to **Bal-gu-jo-cheon** (Strike Dog towards the Sky) and then to **An-gu-jeo-du** (Press Dog’s Head Down), ultimately reaching **Cheon-ha-mu-gu** (World Without Dogs).

As Jo Hwi observed, his astonishment only grew. He followed the numerous physical patterns of the **Ta-gubong** in his mind, intrigued by the techniques that were unfolding before him.

The mysterious movements were nearly flawless from a mathematical standpoint.

Jo Hwi had felt this before, once when facing **Bing Baek Shin Jang** in the North Sea. Excluding the **Heavenly Sword Lineage** of the Sword God and the **Heavenly Demon Three Swords** of the Demon God, it was undoubtedly one of the most refined martial arts techniques.

On the other hand, Choi Seon-gae, realizing that further attacks were meaningless, felt a deep sense of defeat spread across his face.

The opponent merely twisted his body slightly, not even taking a single step back, as if he were digging in thin air.

He couldn’t understand it at all.

No matter how much the opponent’s state was said to be **Absolute Domain**, without knowing the counter-methods in advance, how could anyone avoid such a complex martial technique with such simple movements?

Suddenly, Jo Hwi made a strange expression and extended his palm to form a **Shu-dao** (hand blade).

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

At that moment, his hand created a dazzling change.

Choi Seon-gae’s eyes widened in disbelief.

**Swaaah—**

An immense number of palm shadows swept through the air.

The pressure expanding in all directions was so overwhelming that Choi Seon-gae felt a shiver run down his spine.

As the technique progressed from **Nan Yeong Gwang Cheon** (Chaos Shadows Over Heaven) to **Cheon Ha Mu Gu** (World Without Dogs), Choi Seon-gae slumped down in complete disbelief.

“What is… this…?”

This was an utterly incomprehensible reality.

‘Did I just have my martial arts stolen right before my eyes?’

It was beyond belief.

The **Ta-gubong Law** was a technique of such profound intricacy that even after a lifetime of dedication, reaching its full mastery was an impossible feat.

How could anyone replicate such a legendary martial technique after just witnessing it once?

“Hoho, it’s quite an impressive technique. They say the **Gaebang** is proud of it, and indeed, it’s worthy of that pride.”

Choi Seon-gae, who had just been robbed of the **Ta-gubong Law** right in front of him, could only stand there, stunned and speechless.

But he hadn’t lost everything yet.

Suddenly, Jo Hwi’s face distorted.

“Ugh!”

Choi Seon-gae froze as he looked at yet another **Choi Seon-gae** (or was it a copy of him?).

—

Deep within the **Jo Ga Dae Sang Hoe** (Jo’s Great Faction), there was a secret chamber.

Inside, bound with despair, were **Il No Il So** (One Old One Young): Choi Seon-gae and Jeong Jo-geol.

“Ugh…”

Choi Seon-gae was still trembling as if he were having chills.

They had flown all the way from Hanan to this place in the **Gangseo** region.

These two had been dragged along, clinging to their collars, and had flown with their swords for three days straight, creating a storm of unimaginable speed. The speed was so great it was like lightning, accompanied by the bone-chilling wind and deafening noise.

Having endured that for three full days, Choi Seon-gae still felt as if his bones were frozen.

Turning his neck with difficulty, he finally opened his mouth.

“When did this happen to you?”

Looking into his master’s sharp, blade-like eyes, Jeong Jo-geol felt a surge of unexplainable anger rising, but he suppressed it.

“About a month ago.”

“A month?”

Choi Seon-gae was shocked.

This was utterly unfathomable.

How could Jo Hwi have been pretending to be Jeong Jo-geol for more than a month?

The **Gaebang’s** **Gae-mok** (street-wise observers) were sharp-eyed and vigilant, so how could they have been deceived for more than a month?

If such a deception were possible, this martial world would have long since been ruled by **sejak** (traitors or spies).

It was clear that this person’s adaptability, crisis management, and social skills were extraordinary.

After seeing the complexity of his schemes with his own eyes, Choi Seon-gae felt even more frustrated.

“**Absolute Domain**, **Sword Flight**, incredible mental fortitude and adaptability… combined with the **Jo Ga Dae Sang Hoe**… judging from all these, this person is a **Small Sword God**.”

“Right, it’s certain. But why would someone who was working as a **sejak** suddenly reveal his true identity? Why did he bring us here?”

Jeong Jo-geol’s face grew pale.

“He’s someone who imitates the original essence of others. Just like he did to me, he’ll copy everything about you, from your family background to your relationships, martial arts, habits, speech… and eventually, he’ll become **Choi Seon-gae**.”

“Hmph! Do you think I’d cooperate with him?”

“You will cooperate.”

“What?”

Jeong Jo-geol smiled bitterly.

“I’ve endured quite a lot of the turbulent winds of the martial world, I pride myself on that. But this… this person, how should I put it? He’s different in a way that feels like he’s from another world.”

“Another world?”

“You could say his way of thinking is completely different. I’ve been shocked more than once in the past month by him. He’s a monster.”

Choi Seon-gae sneered.

“I am not weak like you. Do you think you can cover up your disgraceful actions of bowing down and betraying him just because you elevated him?”

Jeong Jo-geol lowered his eyes, as if he didn’t want to respond. He hugged his knees, curling up.

Choi Seon-gae stared at his disciple as though he were going to kill him, but then suddenly sat down cross-legged.

“Stand guard. I’ll unlock the seal of my internal power.”

This was the **Seol Yeol Seol** (Blood Seal Technique) of **Small Sword God**.

The martial arts master **Dan Cheon-yang**, who was considered the best in the world, was said to have shared this technique. It was a pinnacle level technique that belonged to one of the **Seven Great Masters**.

For such an expert to release a sealed blood point seemed almost impossible.

“You’ll fall into **Juhwa Ipma** (entering the wrong path).”

“Then should I just pass the time like this? I have to try at least.”

However, Choi Seon-gae’s attempt was stopped before it could even begin.

*Grind, grind, grind—*

*Clang!*

The heavy iron door opened, and Jo Hwi entered, laughing ominously.

“Are you managing well here? Still have enough energy to talk? Huh? You want to break your blood seal?”

Choi Seon-gae gritted his teeth, stood up, and broke his cross-legged posture.

“What are you trying to do? Do you really think the **Jo Ga Dae Sang Hoe** will remain safe after you imprison the **Bi Gong Il Maek**’s (Hidden Faction’s) assassins?”

“Yes, it will be safe.”

“…You’re insane!”

Jo Hwi sneered and pulled out a few scrolls from his robes and threw them toward Choi Seon-gae.

“What is this! Huh?”

Choi Seon-gae, who was looking down at the floor, froze like a wooden post.

**Mu Gyeok Cheon Pae Gwon** (Infinite Heaven’s Conqueror Fist).

**Yeoui Jang** (Ruyi Palm).

**Bok Ho Nan Hwa Su** (Subduing Tiger, Flower Hand).

He recognized the ink that hadn’t even dried yet. Each one was a famous, legendary martial art—**Mu Gyeok Cheon Pae Gwon**, the fist technique that conquered the world with just two fists, used by the legend **Han Hoo Pae** four centuries ago. And the **Yeoui Jang**, the mysterious palm technique from the legendary sect **Cheon Seon Moon**—all of them were arts known throughout the martial world.

Choi Seon-gae swallowed hard.

If he only knew that **Cheon Seon Moon’s** **Cheon Woo-ja**, the sect leader, was still alive in Jo Hwi’s world, he would be utterly shocked.

He turned toward Jo Hwi with an expression full of doubt.

“Is this… real?”

“I’m **Small Sword God**,” Jo Hwi replied.

Choi Seon-gae trembled, his body shaking uncontrollably.

After all, this was the disciple of the **Sword God**, the most powerful of the Three Gods, who had carved the divine symbol into his body at a young age.

“I wrote it in haste, but you don’t need to doubt its authenticity. Want me to show you?”

Jo Hwi smiled slightly at the now-stunned Choi Seon-gae.

“You can choose to accept or reject these martial arts. But I’m sure you know what it means to open these forbidden techniques.”

“Hah…”

It was truly unbelievable.

Such precious and high-level martial arts, if studied and mastered, could break through the **Great Dragon’s Wall** (the dream of martial leaders throughout history).

Jo Hwi had expertly lured him in, presenting the greatest martial techniques as bait for his weaknesses.

“…What exactly do you want from me?”

Jo Hwi held up a finger.

“A month. Just spend one month with me. Live as you normally would, comfortably. But you’ll answer my questions.”

“…”

Jo Hwi’s intention was clear.

He wanted to observe Choi Seon-gae.

After a brief pause, Choi Seon-gae, looking puzzled, asked back.

“What grievance do you have against our **Gaebang** to do this?”

“**Gaebang**? Not at all. I have no feelings toward your beggar gang.”

Choi Seon-gae’s mouth hung open in shock.

“Could it be **Bi Gong Il Maek**? Do you have any idea how dangerous a faction like **Bi Gong Il Maek** is? The underground world is more treacherous and dangerous than this martial world. It’s a place where all common sense is broken. No matter how much you claim to be in **Absolute Domain**…”

“Is that something for you to worry about?”

Jo Hwi, with a sly smile, pointed toward the forbidden techniques that lay on the floor.

“Hurry up and decide.”

With Jo Hwi’s push, Choi Seon-gae’s face twisted in distress.

To ignore such high-level martial arts techniques would be an almost impossible decision, especially for someone as obsessed with martial arts as Choi Seon-gae.

“Think… I need time to think.”

“Alright. But decide within three days.”

With those words, Jo Hwi turned around and left the room.

Jeong Jo-geol had a similar smirk to Jo Hwi’s.

“You really are weak and disgraceful.”

Jeong Jo-geol returned the same scorn that Choi Seon-gae had once shown him.

But Choi Seon-gae didn’t bother responding to his disciple. His gaze was fixated on the forbidden scrolls, burning with desire.

It was a temptation too sweet to ignore.

As always, human desire was the first step toward **Ma** (Devil).