The martial artists whispered among themselves.

“Deso… Desolate Sect…?”

“That can’t be. Why would Desolate Sect come to a place like this?”

“Shaolin’s high monks were with the magistrate! Even Desolate Sect couldn’t come!”

They showed the disorder of the black path directly.

They said when back alley thugs learned low-level martial arts to become martial artists, they were called black path. They were failed attempts at becoming evil sect martial artists.

That’s when it happened. A bald, meaty giant pulled up the axe stuck in the table.

He seemed to have learned martial arts befitting his innate strength. His eyes glaring at Jeong Yeon-shin gleamed red with drunkenness.

“A youngster like this is a Desolate Sect expertr? These guys call themselves brothers!”

He gripped the axe handle and threw it without warning. The sound of air being split in that instant was tremendous.

Hyeon Won-chang didn’t move even with his arms folded. He even smiled.

Bang!

Jeong Yeon-shin drew his sword in literally the blink of an eye and struck.

The axe shattered in one go. The aftermath of force instantly gathered from his hand holding the Desolate Sword created a strong wind.

The axe fragments even scattered partially.

“Fist technique force in a sword strike…!”

Hyeon Won-chang, calmly smiling beside him, exclaimed.

He seemed to recognize Eternal Blossom Fist’s second stance, Advancing Thunder’s first move. Perhaps because he created and used the martial arts.

Jeong Yeon-shin was easily reaching the realm of freely imbuing force with different purposes.

‘Desolate Sect and the Nine Sects, Thirteen Heavens are above the clouds.’

At this moment, he realized his martial arts were in a different world from ordinary local martial worlds.

Compared to the Tyrant Sword Sect’s Eight Fierce Rakshasa Sword, these felt like flies.

There wasn’t even need to layer true energy of Fate Defying Scripture. The axe throw felt truly light.

“Was axe throwing your means of conversation?”

When he stepped forward holding his lowered sword, the black path guys were terrified. Jeong Yeon-shin approached in large strides without minding.

Though he might leave the others, he couldn’t nicely spare the bald giant. That throw was clearly a killing strike meant to take life.

It showed how casually he had wielded his hand, flowing naturally.

Unlike the Praying Mantis Sect who had to face Jeong Yeon-shin within their sect.

The sacrificed commoners must not have been just one or two.

“Wait, wait let’s talk!”

He waved his hands as if losing the will to resist after seeing Advancing Thunder’s force. Simultaneously the Desolate Sword flashed.

The pure white light spreading from the long sword blade illuminated his face full of despair.

Splash-!

The scattered blood distorted clearly as if urging an answer. The remaining guys’ complexions changed.

* * *

It started with talk of blood winds blowing through the marketplace after the Jeong family’s annihilation.

They said there was a war between black path groups over local commercial rights.

He heard the story.

The Jeong family administrator created a merchant group amid the chaos and grew it with great skill.

The main items handled were agricultural products, and beyond quality, he skillfully negotiated and distributed to quickly expand beyond Xinye County.

However, the annihilated estate’s forests and wealth were the merchant group’s roots. Black path martial artists couldn’t help but target it.

They said they covered the magistrate’s eyes with enormous wealth and attacked the merchant group, dismantling it completely.

A sect called the Xinye White Martial Faction was created that way.

“Rotten b*st*rds!”

Hyeon Won-chang raged.

The courtesans who had been with the Xinye White Martial Faction martial artists quietly returned to their chambers.

They didn’t even scream. They seemed accustomed to blood.

It was unknown what the magistrate was doing.

“I believe you’ll handle it well.”

“A day should be enough?”

“It involves your family’s land. If you ask, we can help.”

It was a trivial matter for the Radiant Demon Wing masters.

The seniors patted their youngest Jeong Yeon-shin’s head or shoulder and headed to their guest rooms.

With his calm personality and stable martial power, in just two outings Lightning Flash had already earned trust within Radiant Demon Wing.

“Can I punish the magistrate?”

“When you become black-level, you can.”

Ma Jin answered Jeong Yeon-shin’s question. He continued.

“You’ve already annihilated the Praying Mantis Sect alone before. You’re clearly stronger than then. A black path sect of Xinye County shouldn’t be difficult. Do you need more hands?”

“I appreciate the thought.”

“I’ll look into this magistrate as soon as I return. Seems like much will come out.”

Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his fists with words of thanks. Turning around, Hyeon Won-chang was grinning.

“I’ll go with you. Having Sir Jeong who’s not even twenty travel alone? The title of Desolate Master would be looked down upon.”

“It’s not heroic travel.”

“How is sweeping away a black path sect not a hero’s deed? Others can’t do it for fear of getting hurt.”

“Should I add Sir Hyeon’s name to the Jeong family’s fish-scale register too?”

The fish-scale register was Ming’s land registry.

It was a joke about giving him a piece of land, but Hyeon Won-chang shook his head seriously.

“Being a divine hero means not taking payment.”

He seemed frivolous only in Desolate Sect. Jeong Yeon-shin had been thinking that a lot lately.

Wasn’t Hyeon Won-chang truly a great hero worthy of stories?

His appearance was also that of a handsome man with a magnanimous impression. The hero’s headband tied on his forehead suited him perfectly.

‘It’s just because it doesn’t resonate.’

The two headed straight for the Xinye White Martial Faction. It wasn’t far.

They arrived quickly without even needing to use Desolate Sect’s lightness technique.

The antique main gate was firmly closed, as if they were still using some local notable’s small estate.

“Almost a shame to cut it.”

Despite his words, Hyeon Won-chang had already drawn his Desolate Sword.

He whirled like the north wind with one step of his footwork.

Sharp sword sounds rang as force was refined on the blade, and as his sword strike with killing intent cut through the gate, Jeong Yeon-shin stomped the ground.

Crack-!

Wood fragments scattered in all directions in the wind streams surrounding Jeong Yeon-shin’s body.

The wide-open view revealed martial artists holding various weapons. They had already been prepared.

They said it was rather the major sects that hesitated to clash with Desolate Sect.

Small and medium sects were ignorant of news and rarely realized the rumors. It meant they lacked the ability to know themselves and their enemy regarding martial power.

Cheong Myeong, who had said the term ‘ignorant ones’ was used for such people, flashed through his mind.

Xinye White Martial Faction. They truly showed an arrogant appearance.

“Fearless ignorant ones came with just two! We’ll make you fertilizer for the forests too!”

The guy who stepped forward with an arrogant air had a large build. He seemed to be the sect leader of the Xinye White Martial Faction, also called their chief.

“What are you doing! Kill them!”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t stop his charge.

The Radiant Sword Style that arose with dim light streams brushed past the sect leader’s neck and passed by.

* * *

It was when he had destroyed the underlings’ dantians and was gathering documents related to the Jeong family.

Four people crossed the threshold of the Xinye White Martial Faction. Their gazes sweeping the surroundings were full of shock and surprise.

It seemed to be because of the many black path martial artists groaning on the ground.

“Huh, we’re already late.”

“This, this is…”

Two monks, a middle-aged man in his fifties, and the magistrate of Xinye County in official robes.

They seemed to have come after hearing rumors from the tavern.

“You… aren’t you the Jeong family’s child?”

The chubby-cheeked magistrate recognized Jeong Yeon-shin.

Though they hadn’t frequently interacted, they knew each other’s faces.

Martial sects and county magistrates weren’t separate entities.

It was common to help with public security when manpower was lacking.

It was a symbiotic relationship where the magistrate’s side provided conveniences in tribute and business.

“D-Desolate Sect? No way?”

“Young master!”

Someone rushed forward, leaving behind the stammering magistrate.

“So you really became a Desolate Sect martial artist! Heavens, a blue robe! It’s truly like a dream!”

The middle-aged man with a brightened complexion was the Jeong family’s administrator.

The rumors about Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash that had gradually spread from Shaanxi seemed not to have reached Henan yet.

“I heard the administrator hasn’t been well.”

“I lacked strength.”

The administrator smiled bitterly. Jeong Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes. The approaching energy wave was different from before.

It was quite clear and had weight. It was a change difficult to have without properly studying orthodox martial arts.

“Did you enter an orthodox sect?”

“Yes. At this age I became a secular disciple of Shaolin Temple. Fortune followed. It’s truly something to be grateful for.”

T/Note- Secular disciple refers to a person who follows and promotes a set of beliefs, teachings, or philosophies that are secular in nature—meaning they are based on worldly, non-religious principles. Such a person might be committed to ideas like humanism, rationality, or ethical living without necessarily invoking religious frameworks.

It was truly surprising. How long would it take to express in words the twists and turns from losing the merchant group to becoming a Shaolin disciple?

His face showing complex emotions was enough.

The administrator seemed to have sought Shaolin’s power to defeat the Xinye black path groups.

He had felt his extraordinariness even during the Jeong family’s annihilation. He thought such a talented person had been wasting away at the Jeong family.

He introduced the old monk standing quietly beside him.

“This is my master.”

“I am Won Jong.”

T/Note- Won Jong means ‘one who follows the origin’ meaning someone who respects and adheres to the original wisdom or traditions passed down through generations.

The old monk wearing yellow kasaya raised his right hand before his chest.

It was called banjang. It was Shaolin’s unique greeting.

His face staring at Jeong Yeon-shin was wrinkled with age.

“So you’re Master Won Jong. I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Desolate Sect.”

It was when Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his fists.

“The young hero’s movements were truly amazing! I am Gak Jeong!”

T/Note-  Gak Jeong name suggests a state of mindful stillness or awakened tranquility, reflecting Buddhist or meditative concepts where stopping (being still) leads to awareness or enlightenment.

A young warrior monk who had been looking around approached.

He was very handsome. His good-looking head and long ears that seemed virtuous were impressive. An elf clan warrior monk of Shaolin.

Though it was hard to gauge status of elf clans before conversing, one could immediately tell he wasn’t elder-level age.

Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong. It was already a famous name.

He was said to be one of the Eighteen Arhats of the Great Shaolin Temple and a master of Shaolin fist techniques. He was no ordinary rising talent.

“Master uncle. May I talk with this person?”

“Do as you wish. But before that.”

Master Won Jong stared straight at Jeong Yeon-shin with seemingly bored eyes.

“You. Do you have any connection with our temple?”

“This is my first time meeting Shaolin’s masters.”

“Yet your body is very mysterious. It’s well-cultivated as if you’ve learned the Muscle Change Classic.”

The Dharma Muscle Change Classic. It was a martial art few martial artists didn’t know about. Its origins were widely known.

They said Dharma created it for monks to cultivate their bodies and internal energy.

They said Shaolin’s seventy-two arts started from the Muscle Change Classic and returned to it again.

Not just the administrator but Gak Jeong’s eyes also widened.

“Now that you mention it…”

Gak Jjeong’s words trailed off as he looked over Jeong Yeon-shin’s physique. The administrator just stood quietly with an amazed face.

He acted this way even though he should know Jeong Yeon-shin had created Jeong Family Dynamic Technique and tempered his body for nearly ten years.

Though he became a Shaolin secular disciple, he didn’t speak carelessly.

“Sir Jeong. I don’t think you stole and learned our temple’s arts. That would be impossible.”

Gak Jeong opened his mouth.

“But a good thought occurs to me. I know your movements are very reasonable from a secular viewpoint. However, to me who has only cultivated martial arts and Buddhism in a mountain temple, it seems somewhat excessive. Since it’s clear you’ll become one of the world’s counted masters in the future, this monk cannot help but worry.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Martial artists speak through martial arts. I have learned the Iron Sand Palm and Muscle Change Classic among the seventy-two arts’ external techniques. Though the Muscle Change Classic includes internal energy work, you too seem to have built your body through cavity work. How about listening to the request of whoever wins in competing physical achievement? If you agree, I’ll give you this.”

Gak Jeong took out and opened a wooden box from within his kasaya.

As a sharp herbal scent spread, a small pill was revealed.

“It’s the Clear Righteousness Pill. I made it by transmitting my clan’s secret techniques to our temple’s Medicine King Hall.”

“Clear Righteousness Pill!”

Hyeon Won-chang, who had been watching blankly from the side, made a fuss.

He had just come out after searching through valuables to distribute to commoners in the pavilion.

Though the Great Rejuvenation Pill and Small Rejuvenation Pill’s fame encompassed the world, recently medicines like Shaolin’s Clear Righteousness Pill were also making a name.

He had heard it instantly healed injured energy and blood. They said it was thanks to elf clan secret techniques being mixed with the Shaolin Medicine King Hall’s medical arts.

‘I heard it’s quite a precious medicine.’

One could immediately fight once more even after receiving internal injuries. Was this Shaolin’s righteousness and fairness?

It was impressive how they carefully offered medicine first even while trying to enlighten.

It would be difficult to find such a thing in other martial sects.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly at Gak Jeong’s clear eyes before nodding.

As he accepted the wooden box, Gak Jeong grinned.

“Monk Gak Jeong is giving a gift. I will give my all.”

“Haha! Thank you for accepting my meddling. And you never know. Sir might need to take that medicine right away.”

It was an interesting provocation. He meant Jeong Yeon-shin might receive internal injuries while competing in external techniques with him.

Considering Shaolin’s mighty martial arts and the Little Divine Monk’s reputation, it was quite possible.

“What is the monk’s request?”

“If I win, listen to my dharma lecture for one hour.”

“…?”

“What, did you think I would tell you to shave your head and enter as a main temple disciple?”

Gak Jeong, who began loosening up, came across as a strange person to Jeong Yeon-shin.

It seemed a martial artist’s competitive spirit and a Buddhist disciple’s transcendence were woven together to create an unusual personality. It wasn’t a bad impression.

“Shall we begin?”

“Good.”

Taking his stance, Jeong Yeon-shin intuitively knew.

If they both used internal energy, he would still be far behind Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong.

However, in terms of body tempering it was different. He had cultivated only Jeong Family Dynamic Technique to mastery for a long time.

He thought it was worth trying.

Whack!

As soon as the sparring began, dazzling fist and leg techniques poured forth. Fists and legs struck his entire body while drawing all kinds of trajectories.

Only Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyeballs moved according to his will. He captured each essence of Shaolin’s fist and leg techniques in his eyes.

Crack! Thud!

The fist striking his shoulder wasn’t light. Powerful martial arts were released from Gak Jeong’s body even without true energy.

For twenty exchanges, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t even make an effective counterattack.

That’s when it happened. Suddenly Gak Jeong’s clothes fluttered with discipline as he crouched low.

After a moment, he rushed diagonally forward with two true steps.

It looked like the Dragon Fist among the famous Shaolin Five Fists.

Puhk-!

The fist with foot force exploded at the solar plexus. Was it a fist technique embodying a dragon’s ascent with a human body?

Dust rose wildly even though no internal energy was used. It seemed like he had struck to kill.

“Hm?”

Instead, Gak Jeong was pushed back two steps. The footprints in the dirt were deep.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood quietly with a peaceful face. He was in the exact same spot where his feet had been when the sparring began.

“……”

“Are you finished, monk?”

He asked quietly.