"Uncle. Did you manage to stop the bleeding properly?"
It wasn’t Da-ju who spoke. For the first time, Jeong Yeon-shin referred to Ma Jin as his uncle. The eyes of Ma Jin, standing behind, widened in shock.
Although he had always recognized his nephew’s talents, he never imagined witnessing such a presence from him so soon. Even as the Ma Gwang-ik Lord, who had roamed the martial world far and wide, this was beyond his expectations.
"Your arm, I mean," Jeong Yeon-shin added, holding his formidable opponent entirely in check. The Sunmaren Supreme Demon Hand.
Despite facing a supreme master head-on, Jeong Yeon-shin was concerned about his uncle standing behind him.
Ma Jin’s lips trembled faintly, overwhelmed by the surging emotions that swelled like a cloud.
His nephew’s achievements, the progress of their familial bond, and the deaths of his subordinates—all of it struck deeply at Ma Jin’s heart.
“...Why did you come here?”
That was all he could muster. As an uncle with a guilty conscience, he tried to approach his nephew, but his words were inadequate.
Due to his nature as a martial artist, Ma Jin couldn’t speak warmly, a flaw he cursed himself for in that fleeting moment.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice rang out calmly.
“I assembled a temporary Mu-ryeok Unit and became an interim Da-ju. Your voice seems fine, so take command for a while.”
He spoke like any ordinary nephew, but his words carried weight.
He ordered a black-cloaked master to step back—words no one with mere mediocre skills could utter.
It was as if he were draped in an invisible cloak of pure authority.
‘What on earth...?’
Even knowing his nephew’s potential, Ma Jin couldn’t help but be astounded.
Could someone live one year as if it were ten, even while carrying the talents of a millennium?
He couldn’t discern if what he felt was pride or sheer disbelief. But there was no time to linger. Ma Jin turned away.
“Good luck,” he said, his words succinct.
The Ma Gwang-ik Lord entrusted the battlefield to a young prodigy and used Qinggong to retreat. Wherever his feet landed, the ground sank deeply.
Even with his severed arm, which must have disrupted his meridian system, his aura radiated an unmistakable presence that surpassed even Blue Rank.
Up until the very last moment.
The Supreme Demon Hand stood still. The unparalleled force of the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel had overwhelmed him.
Not just surprised—utterly subdued.
“......”
The moment he realized the truth, Ha Yul-geuk, the Supreme Demon Hand, lost the words he was about to say.
The Ma Gwang-ik Lord, his original target, had escaped, yet he didn’t dare give chase.
More pressing than his immobilized hand held firmly by the boy was the scene beyond Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.
Amid the dissipating dust, the lower half of Dokgo Gwang’s corpse came into view.
The tattered hem of his dark azure robe fluttered hopelessly, flanked by two equally stunned young masters of Ipwang Fortress.
‘He killed him in just two moves? That’s not the issue here.’
The Supreme Demon Hand’s gaze grew heavy. A true master’s duel could take many forms, as varied as the martial arts styles themselves.
From a single strike to duels lasting seven nights and days, the possibilities were endless.
The factors involved were manifold: terrain, weather, compatibility of techniques, physical condition, even the sequence of forms used.
Even when facing an opponent of similar rank, the nature of the battle could splinter into hundreds or thousands of outcomes.
‘This boy... immeasurable. His senses are extraordinary.’
The Supreme Demon Hand could feel it through his heightened intuition. Each move had been calculated and connected with ruthless precision.
The two strikes Jeong Yeon-shin had just executed were examples of this. The final technique, an unfamiliar palm art of unprecedented force, had been executed despite its glaring weaknesses.
Any master of the Dae Bang Sect would have noticed those flaws. That was what made it even more astonishing.
‘That palm technique is undoubtedly supreme, but its strengths and weaknesses are clear.’
And yet, Jeong Yeon-shin had preemptively prepared his sequence, launching an extraordinary combination.
The result was Dokgo Gwang’s death. The greatsword of the Tenfold Gate was shattered. For all Jeong Yeon-shin’s preparation, the cost was far too great.
This event would send shockwaves through the vast martial world of Sichuan.
‘If it had been a fair one-on-one duel... no.’
A pointless thought. True martial battles in the martial world were never fair. Unless it was a friendly sparring match, every fight was fraught with contingencies.
Victory belonged to the survivor.
The important part lay elsewhere.
Even in the domain of supreme masters, his martial prowess was undeniable. The boy holding his hand firmly was of equal stature.
His skill was astonishingly high—nearly matching that of the Supreme Demon Hand. It was hard to believe, as the boy was far from old enough to have achieved this through years of practice.
The situation was dire.
“Is this Dharma Power?”
The Supreme Demon Hand asked as their hands remained locked.
The boy responded calmly.
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“It’s light.”
It was a provocation, mocking the very essence of their contact. The refusal to answer only made his demeanor seem more natural.
This behavior and confidence testified to his unmatched rank and poise.
A noble and lofty aura emanated from him, so much so that speaking casually to a supreme master didn’t seem out of place.
‘A martial art that reaches the heavens.’
The Supreme Demon Hand thought absently before speaking again.
“So, it is Dharma Power. Truly unbelievable. Are you a direct disciple of the Shaolin Emerald Jade Staff?”
The bright blue eyes of the demon master glimmered with insight as he probed the boy’s martial lineage.
Emerald Jade Staff referred to the treasured staff of the Shaolin Abbot.
The question implied Jeong Yeon-shin was a direct heir to Shaolin’s martial arts.
But the Supreme Demon Hand didn’t wait for an answer. He muttered to himself.
“No, the lineage of Dharma martial arts was severed long ago. Then how...?”
“You speak of my death, yet waste your breath on useless chatter.”
Jeong Yeon-shin tightened his grip. His right hand, holding the Supreme Demon Hand’s arm, exuded immense power.
Through the lingering essence of Dharma’s Divinity, his technique amplified the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel.
This was not a force to be wielded lightly, not even with the support of Dharma’s Divine Spirit. The energy was akin to a ticking clock on the boy’s life.
Hoo—
A faint, pure white glow emanated from Jeong Yeon-shin’s breath, shimmering with a sacred aura.
To others, it was a divine sight, but to the boy, it was a sign of imperfection.
‘The Qi Wheel is a newborn organ. It’s like the heart of my inner energy, just born.’
Only the residual spirituality of Dharma kept it stable, but it wouldn’t last long. Meditation and breathing exercises were essential for recovery.
‘The power of Dharma’s Spirit will soon dissipate.’
Jeong Yeon-shin assessed his internal state amidst their standoff.
The strength granted by Dharma’s Spirit was temporary, born from a fragment of sacred energy that should have passed on long ago.
No matter. He had already forged his Qi Wheel. The rest could be refined after escaping the battlefield.
Taking down the enemy supreme masters was enough—using the flickering ember of his spiritual flame.
“Young one, what did you just say?”
The Supreme Demon Hand asked. He had proclaimed his victory after severing Ma Jin’s arm.
No matter the situation—advantageous or disadvantageous—he used his words like weapons. Now, he was at a disadvantage.
A supreme master had emerged beyond his expectations, and now he needed time to reassess his defenses.
“I said the corpse’s tongue is too long.”
Jeong Yeon-shin’s reply was curt, and it marked the end of their exchange.
A gust of wind swept past the two masters, descending endlessly from the high cavern ceiling.
The dry wind carried the battlefield’s weight as it lifted the edges of their garments.
Smash!
Suddenly, the Supreme Demon Hand’s knee shot forward—a swift and deadly leg technique.
The moment was brief, but the power condensed in his knee strike was monumental.
Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t dodge. He reacted before the force could fully spread.
The innate senses granted by his Qi Wheel matched his natural instincts. Still gripping his opponent’s hand, he raised his foot.
In an instant, he brought it down.
Thud!
The ground quaked. The Supreme Demon Hand’s rising knee stopped abruptly.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s foot rested firmly on his ankle, pressing the technique down entirely.
A master’s duel—a perfect counter.
The Supreme Demon Hand’s eyes widened, his unique blue pupils fully visible.
“Hm.”
A heavy sigh escaped him. Even as he mustered his inner strength, his leg wouldn’t budge.
The Dharma Power, which he had considered a problem from the start, proved to be a complete counter. At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy was overwhelming.
The boy thought to himself. Even without Dharma’s Spirit, he would have the upper hand. The Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel was why.
The quality of his inner energy had transformed. He no longer lagged in strength.
His opponent’s demonic inner energy only amplified his advantage due to their elemental opposition.
If so—
There was no longer a need to explore his opponent’s techniques. Without realizing it, Jeong Yeon-shin had approached with the mindset of a lesser master, probing for weaknesses and counters.
But that was unnecessary now.
Woong!
A surge of power radiated. The Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel had been unleashed at full force, eliciting an immediate reaction.
From below, the Supreme Demon Hand’s leg faltered. Jeong Yeon-shin dragged his opponent’s leg downward and stamped on his instep.
Crunch!
A sickening sound rang out. The crushed ankle gave way, its bone shattered under the pressure.
The demonic energy coursing through the Supreme Demon Hand’s leg was annihilated, as if consumed by a fiery abyss.
It was more than a counter—it was devastation. The remnants of his demonic energy dissipated like shards of shattered night.
“......!”
The eyes of the enemy who had taken his uncle’s arm widened as if they were about to tear apart. He didn’t scream.
As expected of a supreme master ranked among the elites of the Dae Bang Sect’s demon warriors. Jeong Yeon-shin, unfazed, tightened his grip.
After the feet came the hands. The technique that had severed Ma Jin’s arm now crumpled entirely, bones and all.
The force surpassed imagination. Even Jeong Yeon-shin was astonished by his own strength, as though his inner energy had shed its shell and been reborn.
“Haaaaa!”
At last.
Before his eyes, a supreme master of the Black Domain let out a battle cry.
The Supreme Demon Hand reached out with his other hand, this time delivering a straight punch. The sheer energy surrounding the strike distorted the very air around it.
The attack seemed aimed to obliterate Jeong Yeon-shin’s head, and the energy wave carried a terrifying destructive force.
In a fleeting moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze deepened. He had predicted the move.
The opponent could no longer step forward properly, and with one hand already incapacitated, the next technique was clear as day.
No counter was needed. It was time to unleash his own martial art entirely.
Hwaaaak!
At close quarters, within striking range of fist techniques, Jeong Yeon-shin released his grip on the Ipwang Sword.
The principles of Shihwa Muguk Su were already guiding the power of the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel within him. Using the method of True Wall, he struck the side of the enemy’s fist.
Thunk!
The blow landed cleanly, and the straight energy wave pierced through the opponent’s fist and extended outward.
The Supreme Demon Hand’s own fist recoiled and smashed into his jaw. The sensation of bones breaking through his fist conveyed itself vividly.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s strikes didn’t stop there. As the opponent’s face tilted back, his other hand shot forward.
The power of the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel burst forth. The energy waves unfurled like blossoming flowers, intertwining and spreading outward.
Strength struck strength, creating another explosive energy ripple.
‘The third form, Flameflow.’
He delivered a flurry of strikes to the opponent’s upper body. It was a fist technique inspired by the Falling Petal Palm of the Mount Hua Sect, observed back when he was merely a White Rank warrior.
Now, it shattered the Supreme Demon Hand’s defensive energy shield, pulverizing his internal organs in the process.
The embedded Dharma Power unraveled the opponent’s energy, piercing into his very bones.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
With a single technique, he delivered eighteen strikes. The opponent’s torso erupted with what seemed like colorless flower petals.
It shattered his inner energy, tore through his skin, and reduced his ribs to splinters.
The sensation of successive impacts grew sharper. Jeong Yeon-shin fully felt the rising level of his martial prowess.
‘Tsk.’
As he delivered the flurry of punches, he stifled a groan through clenched teeth.
The internal injuries sustained earlier from Dokgo Gwang were taking their toll. The pain reverberating through his abdomen was severe.
The Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel did not possess regenerative capabilities. Techniques that absorbed energy to heal were only possible when consuming Blood Energy.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s internal organs were still damaged. The pain in his stomach grew sharper.
No single martial technique could encompass everything. But he didn’t care.
The shining rings of his new technique emitted a radiant light. The spinning Qi Wheel circulated energy throughout his body.
The power of the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel was immense. His strength grew with every moment.
‘I’ll finish it.’
Jeong Yeon-shin made up his mind. Once more, he used the True Wall. He aimed his final strike at the Supreme Demon Hand’s solar plexus.
His already fractured ribs brushed against his fist. It felt like merely grazing the target.
But it wasn’t.
BOOOOOM!
A devastating shockwave exploded forth. It was a strike that completely shattered the recoil effect of the opponent’s demonic energy.
The Supreme Demon Hand’s body crumpled on the spot. His appearance was utterly wretched.
“Haaaah...”
A sound escaped his lungs, as though air was being forcibly expelled. Ha Yul-geuk, the Supreme Demon Hand, wheezed with ragged breaths.
He lay sprawled at Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet. A deathly silence blanketed the battlefield of Myeonggondo.
From Sichuan to the far reaches of the martial world, a supreme master who had once dominated was completely defeated.
“......”
The battle had already ceased. It ended almost simultaneously.
This was because neither the Tang Ga-ju nor Ma Jin had to face a supreme master. Dokgo Gwang had been killed, and the Supreme Demon Hand had been subdued by Seomye.
Even the reinforcements from the Hwanik Corps had arrived.
With the leaders of the Thirteen Heavens defeated, their martial artists had fallen as well. The masters scattered across the battlefield watched as Seomye and the Supreme Demon Hand stood at the center of the confrontation.
They witnessed the unbelievable outcome of the fight in its entirety.
Ha Yul-geuk’s lips trembled faintly. It seemed like a final flash of defiance.
“Your martial art... its foundation... what is it...?”
Those were his dying words. The Sunmaren sect was said to have originated from the demonic cults of Xinjiang.
They did not adhere to the laws of the Central Plains, nor did they care for moral constraints. Strength was revered above all else.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly recalled Cheong Qilin. The young master who had met his end not as a noble but as a warrior.
Ha Yul-geuk was the same. Was the true essence of a person revealed in the face of death?
In this moment, he no longer seemed like a demon.
The boy gazed down at the martial artist of Sunmaren.
“It’s the Capability-Rotating Qi Wheel.”
His reply was brief. It was enough.
“Capability... magnificent.”
A faint smile formed on Ha Yul-geuk’s lips.
“But it suits you. Boy. If you had been raised in our embrace, you could have... rebuilt our sect...”
He fell silent before finishing his sentence.
Jeong Yeon-shin quietly watched him. Then, after perceiving the state of the battlefield, he closed his eyes.
The fight was over for now. He needed to stabilize the newly forged Qi Wheel within him.
At the same time—
Hwaaaak!
The Hwanik Corps and the Ma Gwang-ik Lord arrived. Masters from Ipwang Fortress leaped in from all directions.
As they landed and assumed positions, the reverse wind from their Qinggong swept through the surroundings.
They quickly formed a large circle, positioning themselves to defend the boy in the center.
Jeong Yeon-shin began to refine his martial art in the middle of the battlefield. It was the process of fully anchoring the newly created Qi Wheel within his body.
Woong!
The edges of his blue robe fluttered faintly as he stood with his eyes closed.
A soft light emanated from his body, as though a faint galaxy flowed across him.
It was a mysterious sight.
The masters of Ipwang Fortress stood with their backs to the boy, forming a defensive formation. No one could break through to interrupt their protection.
“......”
The martial artists observing from the perimeter stared blankly. Among them, the faces of the Tang Sect and Beggars’ Sect masters were painted with a mix of emotions.