NOVEL NEXT Chapter 644
Dark Heaven Village
The moment Lee Kwang interrupted the duel, both the Sword Demon and I grimaced almost simultaneously. I thought our plan was nearing completion, but an unexpected individual had intervened! However, there was nothing we could do right now but watch.
The Sect Leader gazed at Lee Kwang, who had blocked his attack, and said with a hint of surprise, “[Oh… aren’t you Lee Kwang…?]”
“……”
“[ While searching for Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts, I learned about you as well… I never imagined Lee Cheong-un’s disciple would live such a life…]”
Lee Kwang bit his lip without responding. Then, after a glance at Jin So-cheong behind him, he did something no one in the hall expected.
Thud!
“… Master!!”
Jin So-cheong screamed in shock.
Lee Kwang knelt down and repeatedly struck his forehead against the ground with a loud bang, adopting a posture of utmost humility! It was a pathetic display hoping only for the opponent’s absolute mercy, and no one in the hall could have predicted that the great Lee Kwang would ever take such a position.
As the Sect Leader looked down at him in silence, Lee Kwang exclaimed with a clear and desperate voice, “I, Samjeol Lee Kwang, dare to address the esteemed Master of the White Lotus Sect, your honor! My disciple, Jin So-cheong, in his ignorance and arrogance, dared to challenge the most honorable of Jianghu, and I implore for your mercy!!”
“[ … ]”
“Master of the White Lotus Sect, please cancel today’s duel! I, Lee Kwang, kneel and beg you!!”
“Ma, Master…”
Jin So-cheong, standing behind him, wore an utterly devastated expression as if the world were collapsing around him.
“……”
Honestly, I felt the same way.
At the moment Lee Kwang knelt and struck his head against the ground, emotions surged within me that I could hardly describe.
What was this?
What was this feeling?
I should be feeling elated at seeing such a humiliating sight of Lee Kwang, but instead, my hands and feet were trembling. I felt a sudden impulse to smash something. This feeling was certainly far from the joy of seeing Lee Kwang in such a state.
As I bit my lip until it bled while watching this spectacle, the Sect Leader calmly spoke.
“[ Are you asking for forgiveness on behalf of your disciple?]”
“That is correct!!”
“[ Hmm… Interesting.]”
He suddenly looked toward the Dharma Protectors watching from a distance and said, “[ Han Baek-ryeong, what do you think?]”
“Your Honor.”
Han Baek-ryeong, who was wearing a silver fox mask, flinched in surprise upon being called. She too seemed astonished by Lee Kwang’s intrusion and his posture of humility. But soon, she regained her composure and responded.
“He is the disciple of Lee Cheong-un. Considering the position Lee Cheong-un once held in the White Lotus Sect, I believe it is worth listening to him at least once.”
“[ That does make sense… ]”
Then, the sorcerer, Cheon Woo-jin, bluntly shouted, “That is not appropriate, Your Honor!!”
“[ Cheon Woo-jin.]”
“Who dared challenge the Master of the White Lotus Sect must pay the price for their arrogance! It is only right to punish him so he will never dare to act so rudely again!”
“[ You make a valid point… ]”
Cheon Woo-jin had a grudge against Lee Kwang after being countered by him in the past. He was like a cat that was bitten while catching a mouse but wouldn’t think like that. The Sect Leader, in silence, turned his gaze toward Dokgo Jun.
“[ Jun, what do you think we should do?]”
“Master, I think it is only right to silence the spectators first.”
Dokgo Jun glanced at the followers of Jin So-cheong huddled in the back and continued, “[ It would not be good for useless rumors to spread through Jianghu.]”
That suggestion, which could imply a deadly response, made the spectators flinch. They were not fools, realizing that the White Lotus Sect experts could easily kill them all to silence them if they needed to.
Suddenly, the Zen Master shouted in anger, “Wasn’t this a friendly duel? Such cruel actions will not be tolerated!”
In Dokgo Jun’s retort, he replied tersely, “Zen Master, Jin So-cheong’s provocation just now was a direct challenge to the dignity of our sect’s master. As Dharma Protectors, we are prepared to do whatever it takes to defend the Sect Leader’s grace.”
“Your view is but a subjective judgement. I won’t be easily intimidated, and don’t twist your master’s intentions.”
“[ Hmph… ]”
A strange tension hung between the Zen Master and Dokgo Jun. In truth, even disregarding the Infinite Internal Power, their martial arts were nearly leveled. Even if Dokgo Jun employed Infinite Internal Power, it would not easily settle the matter since Zen Master’s strength was considerable.
If it turned into a long battle, it was clear Dokgo Jun would win, but even he wouldn’t consider the Zen Master an easy opponent.
The Sect Leader remained silent, apparently unable to reach a decision. After pondering for some time, he finally addressed Lee Kwang.
“[ Lee Kwang. I had no intention of killing or harming Jin So-cheong. You needn’t have humiliated yourself so… ]”
“Didn’t that arrogance naturally offend!?”
Bang!!
Lee Kwang once again struck his head against the ground with great force as he shouted, “Please forgive me! I will never again challenge the dignity of the White Lotus Sect!”
“[ … ]”
“Please cancel today’s duel and let us leave!”
The Sect Leader gazed at Lee Kwang, who was repeating the same request, and spoke. “*[ I see… you wish to avoid any links between your disciple and the White Lotus Sect…? For the future of the Thunder God Lineage?]”
“Master of the White Lotus Sect, I have no ulterior motives!!”
“[ Huhuhuh… ]”
The Sect Leader chuckled and said, “[ You are indeed a disciple of Lee Cheong-un… There must be some hidden secrets within your Thunder God Lineage, regarding the Ultimate Technique of the Thunder God Lineage.]”
“Such a thing doesn’t exist!! We are mere losers!!”
The Sect Leader barely acknowledged Lee Kwang’s protest and stated, “[ How inspiring. You cast aside your current pride entirely for the future of your sect and your disciple… The disciple of Lee Cheong-un seems to have great potential.]”
“……!!”
The Sect Leader’s indifferent gaze drifted towards Lee Kwang.
“[ Step back, Lee Kwang. You have no justification or reason to claim humility in this duel. You were once the successor of the Thunder God Lineage and a revered follower of the White Lotus Sect, but no longer. I have no reason to kill you or harm you, and to me, you are merely a stranger.]”
In an instant, when the Sect Leader raised his finger upward, Lee Kwang, who had his forehead pressed against the ground, immediately stood up. He had struck his head so hard that blood oozed from the injury, yet his eyes shone brightly, like those of a tiger, as he gritted his teeth and shouted, “Master! I seek your mercy!!”
“[ You will not kneel. I will not accept it.]”
“Uugh.”
“Just stay there.”
Crash!
As the Sect Leader had said, Lee Kwang appeared to be bound by some formless intent that rendered him completely immobile. The Sect Leader slowly walked past the squirming Lee Kwang and spoke.
“[ Then… shall I receive a proper kowtow from my new disciple, Jin So-cheong?]”
……
I was caught in a whirlwind of complex emotions watching the scene unfold before me.
‘Everything is going well…’
It all seemed to fall into place.
The Sect Leader was not falling for Lee Kwang’s act and seemed to be ready to accept Jin So-cheong as his disciple. Jin So-cheong could join the White Lotus Sect and discover the fusion of chaos and primordial void, even uncovering the hidden secrets of the Sect Leader’s martial arts, Heart of Heaven’s Abundance. This exchange of information would take place discreetly through Jin So-cheong’s Suspicious Fishhook. The plan was flawless.
Yet, I felt frustrated.
I clenched my fists, yearning to do something, but I didn’t know what.
At that moment, Jin So-cheong spoke to me through the Suspicious Fishhook.
[ I’m sorry, Baek Woong.]
I somehow guessed what he would say. I felt the same way.
[ I know your past life is far more important, but I don’t want to see our Master suffer humiliation.]
[ …… ]
[ Whether I hate it or love it, he is my Master. What about you, Baek Woong?]
[ I understand.]
‘We’ cannot endure endless humiliation from the Sect Leader.
It was not just a feeling born for Lee Kwang.
It was the pride and honor of being a member of the Thunder God Lineage that was whispering within me.
‘There’s no other choice!’
I sighed quietly and responded to Jin So-cheong.
[ … I’ve let go of everything, so do as you please.]
[ Thank you.]
With this, I abandoned the plan of making Jin So-cheong a disciple of the Sect Leader in this lifetime.
So… from this point on, both Jin So-cheong and I were free to act.
As part of the Thunder God Lineage.
Thrust!
“Haah!”
Jin So-cheong lunged like a bolt of lightning, launching his spear at the Sect Leader. The thrust seemed no different from before, but the Sect Leader, attempting to casually shield himself with a white barrier, flinched in surprise.
“[ Reckless… Ugh.]”
Thud!
In an instant, the Sect Leader was injured with a graze on his shoulder, as Jin So-cheong’s spear had surpassed the speed and trajectory at which he could react. No, it wasn’t merely that; it was an attack that could not be read at all if the Sect Leader wasn’t concentrating from the start.
Jin So-cheong’s gaze became cold and calm. It radiated the demeanor of a true martial artist confronted with life and death rather than the excitement of thinking he could become the greatest in the world.
That’s right —
Jin So-cheong was genuinely challenging the Sect Leader now.
Bowing Slash!
Unified Stance!
Residual Clouds and Moonlight!
Click!
The tip of Jin So-cheong’s spear twisted. It indicated that the essence of the Peerless Divine Technique I had amassed in my past life was beginning to blossom alongside the Thunder God Lineage spear techniques he had mastered thus far.
A tempest of destructive energy seemed to explode from Jin So-cheong’s eyes.
Three Treasure Technique!
Clever Move!
Ninety-Nine Harmonies Returning!
Calm Thunder! Shadow Kill!
The first step was like a white shadow. A pale figure pierced through the space as the Sect Leader’s inner energy sensed him and let loose hundreds of palm shadows in an instant. As that overwhelming destructive power aimed to engulf Jin So-cheong, he lightly invoked Thunderclap and drastically increased his speed, reaching right in front of the Sect Leader for a fleeting moment.
The sound of air bursting resonated like fog.
The second step was taken as though to provoke. At that moment, the change of the Three Treasure Technique unfolded, and the Sect Leader’s initial movement nearly vaporized. Simultaneously, Jin So-cheong’s spear technique unfolded with the deadly precision of Ninety-Nine Harmonies Returning, sweeping through the upper half of the Sect Leader’s form. The Sect Leader did not flinch and executed the evasive technique, but just as it was, the last step of the Three Treasure Technique was taken.
Clap!
“[ ……!!]”
A look of astonishment passed over the Sect Leader’s mask.
Although only a brief moment had transpired, Jin So-cheong had genuinely marked the Sect Leader’s back! Until now, it felt like the Sect Leader had been toying with him, but now it was a true attack that perfectly struck at an opening. Just then, a streak of lightning pierced through from the sky and drilled into the Sect Leader’s back.
Ka-boom!!
“Ugh!”
At that instant, the Sect Leader unleashed an overwhelming defensive energy using the Primordial Spirit’s strength to block Jin So-cheong’s fatal strike, yet it seemed he could not dodge entirely from the unexpected blow. Blood could be seen trickling down from beneath his mask.
“Master!!”
The Dharma Protectors and the White Lotus Sect members watching were aghast. How could the Sect Leader, against a mere rookie like Jin So-cheong, suffer such a wound?!
Especially Lee Kwang, who was kneeling and with no idea of what was happening, wore a dazed expression.
But it was only natural.
No matter how much one might say they hadn’t reached the Absolute Realm — the Jin So-cheong now was the inheritance of all my martial experiences built up over time. From the Seven Great Techniques to the Eight Immortal Divine Art and, indeed, the techniques from the Thunder God Lineage that I had painstakingly learned from Lee Cheong-un, Jin So-cheong was now a rightful successor of the Thunder God Lineage with every qualification to claim it!
If Jin So-cheong unleashed all of his strength, he would be several times stronger than just moments ago when he had been hiding his abilities!
“……”
Still, the atmosphere in the hall wasn’t good. I bore a solemn gaze on the unfolding battle when the Sword Demon’s voice reached my ears.
“[ Baek Woong. We must save Jin So-cheong. If this continues, he will be killed by the Sect Leader.]”
“[ I wished he had sustained a significant injury just now… ]”
“[ Work together. We must act before the Dharma Protectors intervene.]”
“[ Understood.]”
Crack!
A crack appeared on the Sect Leader’s flawless exterior. He rose and cast a look towards Jin So-cheong.
“[ Well done… I thought you were just a cat, but you were a hidden tiger? If destiny hadn’t favored you just now, I might have been dead.]”
His tone had completely changed.
As expected of a Peerless Expert, he recognized the immense realization brought by Jin So-cheong’s recent attack immediately.
“……”
“[ There will be no more underestimation. From now on, I will recognize you as the true successor of the Thunder God Lineage and treat you as an equal, Jin So-cheong.]”
Whoosh!
A powerful aura began to flow around the Sect Leader, along with a Mandala-like presence like a river flowing.
That was the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance!
It was the realization of the Absolute Realm only the Sect Leader had attained.
No matter how skilled Jin So-cheong was, he could never defeat Heart of Heaven’s Abundance with his current capabilities.
Clap!
At that moment, the Sword Demon, Zen Master, and Bright Dragon stood in front of Jin So-cheong simultaneously. Sweat dripped profusely from their brows. Even the Zen Master seemed to tremble nervously, stuttering as he addressed the Sect Leader.
“… Your Honor. Please show mercy as the Master of the White Lotus Sect…”
“[ Huhuhuh, mercy? That’s an insult to Jin So-cheong. He is far stronger than you and is on the verge of the Absolute Realm, and you dare to ask for mercy with my power? I am not such a great person.]”
“But…”
“[ Silence.]”
Crash!
It was just a single word.
“Ugh!”
“Ugh…”
That alone caused both the Zen Master and Bright Dragon to reel back, almost collapsing as the immense pressure rendered everyone in the hall unable to catch their breath. Only the Sword Demon gazed at the Sect Leader’s aura with a sullen expression, catching the attention of the Sect Leader, who looked intrigued.
“[ Oh? Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong. When did you improve so much? I never expected a master such as you to arise from the Heretical Sect…]”
The Sword Demon sighed.
“Your Honor, this is a futile endeavor. What disciple could remain calm while their master suffers such humiliation?”
“[ This is an affair of hidden grudges among the Four Great Families of our sect. You, an outsider, have no right to meddle in this.]”
“[ I will protect Jin So-cheong.]”
With that, the Sect Leader took a step forward, and Jin So-cheong, I, and the Sword Demon surrounded him in a triangular formation. The Zen Master and Bright Dragon also stood up, shaking off the Sect Leader’s pressure. Lee Kwang hesitated and stepped back.
The situation was 6 to 1!
“[ How interesting… Dharma Protectors, do not interfere.]”
The Sect Leader expressed considerable anger, bubbling emotions, and continued, “[ This will no longer end with mere games.]”