Chapter 4
Resolution (1)
It wasn’t an illusion—that much was certain.
Especially that middle-aged man. His inner strength is the greatest!
Kang Yongun’s gaze settled on the dantian of Elder Sonwi of the Great Tiger Sword Sect.
The size was almost comparable to that of the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion. The only difference was the hue—unlike the Pavilion Master’s rather reddish energy, Elder Sonwi’s inner power gleamed a soft pink.
Does the difference in color come from training a completely different kind of inner energy and formula?
His eyes shifted to those around him—the disciples. Their inner strength was impressive as well.
Particularly, a man in his early thirties stood out, his energy brighter and larger than most warriors in the hall. Among the younger disciples, he was clearly exceptional.
You, however… you’re far weaker, aren’t you?
The one standing right next to him looked pitiful by comparison, his dantian much smaller. Perhaps a junior disciple.
And beside him…
Eh?
Kang Yongun stifled a laugh as his gaze landed on a young woman who seemed to be the youngest junior sister.
Her inner power was barely different from his own.
She must have joined late. Or else she’s been neglecting her training. Either way… interesting.
It was fascinating—seeing another’s inner strength so vividly.
Good. This will definitely help me later…
But then—
“You lecherous brat!”
The second disciple of Elder Sonwi, Kwon Junghyeon, glared with fiery eyes, spitting venom at Kang Yongun.
“You dare ignore the order to receive the scripture and instead leer at people above your station?!”
“Hmph!”
The young woman finally noticed Kang Yongun’s faint smile directed her way and snorted in disdain.
Ah, damn—!
Yongun froze, belatedly realizing how it must have looked.
Of course—this could be completely misunderstood.
“Wait, senior! It’s not what it looks like—”
He hurried to explain, but it was useless.
The one who had smiled at him earlier threw oil onto the fire.
“What a creep.”
Great. Just great.
Yongun cursed himself.
Why did I have to look at the girl’s dantian too? Should’ve stuck to the men!
“You think you’re handsome, do you? Hmph!”
Despite her words, she smiled brightly—because after getting a clear look at Yongun’s strikingly handsome face, her irritation melted into self-satisfaction at her own beauty.
Hey, why don’t you smile like that at your senior brother who’s grinding his teeth right now?
Didn’t she hear the grinding?
“You insolent whelp!”
Kwon Junghyeon wasn’t about to let it go.
“If you’ve wronged someone, you should apologize! Instead, you dare make excuses?!”
He stomped toward Yongun.
Flash.
Huh?!
Suddenly, Yongun could see the flow of his opponent’s energy.
It’s moving!
A strand of inner force spun once around the dantian, then shot upward, gathering in his fist.
A sharp, chilling sensation pricked Yongun’s jaw.
He’s aiming for my chin…!
“Lecher! I’ll punish you!”
With a roar, Junghyeon lunged, fist thrust like a sword.
Can I dodge?
Whoosh.
To Yongun’s surprise, his own Great Heavenly Divine Art moved.
Just like Junghyeon’s, his energy spun and surged upward.
Too late, instinct warned.
Yet, before he realized it, his body slid half a step back, twisting sideways.
Ssshhk.
Junghyeon’s fist brushed his shoulder and shot past harmlessly.
What? I… dodged?
This morning he had woken unusually light. Was this the reason?
While Yongun stood bewildered, Junghyeon’s face turned crimson with rage.
“You’ve been hiding your martial arts?!”
He had stepped forward recklessly, hoping to impress his junior sister—and now his strike had missed!
“Haaap!”
He poured out more energy, fists flying in succession.
But…
Strange… they feel slower?
No. It wasn’t that.
The punches were getting faster—sharper, more brutal.
Abdomen, ribs, chin again…
He could see every attack.
No, he could feel them first—sharp tingles telling him exactly where the blows would land.
It was astonishing. His body moved naturally in response.
Slide. Spin. Shift.
Junghyeon’s fists grazed Yongun again and again, never landing cleanly.
Step back, half-turn, repeat.
Nothing but simple movements linked together—yet Junghyeon couldn’t land a single solid hit.
Phew… what do I do now?
Elder Sonwi hesitated. He should stop his disciple, but the sect’s pride was also at stake.
“Lecherous bastard—!”
Completely losing reason, Junghyeon howled, swinging wildly.
Too wildly.
In that instant, his abdomen lay wide open.
Huh? With such a gap, I could counter…
His body moved before thought caught up.
Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, thrusting a fist.
It won’t do much anyway. Just testing my hunch.
But—
“Guhk!”
Junghyeon staggered, breath caught, dropping to one knee.
“What… what is this…?”
Yongun stared at his still-extended fist, dumbfounded.
He hadn’t expected a casual jab to hurt that badly.
Elder Sonwi, the first disciple, and the junior sister all froze as well, jaws slack.
They had worried Junghyeon might kill the errand boy—but in a blink, he was the one kneeling.
Unbelievable… such talent?!
Sonwi’s eyes widened.
He adapted mid-fight… and even landed a counter so cleanly.
No trick of the eyes. He had seen it clearly.
If I’d known this would happen, I’d have stopped it sooner.
But too late—the fight was over.
Except Junghyeon wouldn’t accept it.
“You filthy brat!”
Clang.
Humiliated, he drew his sword, pointing the killing edge at Yongun.
Yongun recoiled.
What the hell?
He had attacked first, and now—drawing a blade over a glance at his junior sister?!
“Die!”
Junghyeon leapt high, sword flashing down in the Great Tiger Sect’s fierce form: Descending Tiger.
A strike powerful enough to cleave stone.
The tip screamed as it closed on Yongun’s throat.
“Junior brother—!”
“Senior brother, no—!”
The first disciple Lee Hoyun shouted, while junior sister Yeon Eunji tried to stop him—but too late.
Yongun’s eyes turned icy.
I can block it. Counter it, even.
From the Three Talents Sword, he recalled the defensive and counter forms.
Half-step left, Mount Crushes Summit—deflects the blow. Then step forward, Storm from Eight Directions. Finish with Sage’s Strike—anyone can use that thrust.
He was certain. Executed properly, he could kill Junghyeon instead.
But—
“Ah!”
He faltered.
My sword…
His shabby but familiar blade—was still back in his room.
Damn. He has a sword, I don’t.
Still, he sprang backward desperately.
But—
Too slow.
Without a weapon, he couldn’t avoid death.
If only I’d realized sooner, I could’ve dodged fully…
Junghyeon’s sword bore down.
Damn it. Must I sacrifice an arm…?
Better maimed than dead. He braced, pouring his energy into his fist.
But then—
“Junghyeon!”
At last, Elder Sonwi launched himself forward, shouting, “Stop! Don’t strike!”
Yet even he was too late.
Fwoosh!
A blurred shadow overtook him. No—surpassed him entirely, and even overtook Junghyeon.
Crash!
With a deafening crack, Junghyeon’s sword shattered in two.
“Urgh!”
Rebound from broken energy sent him sprawling face-first into the ground.
“You damned—mfff!”
Elder Sonwi clamped a hand over his disciple’s mouth before he could spew curses.
“Thank you,” Sonwi said quickly, bowing deeply. “Thanks to you, my foolish disciple did not commit the grave sin of taking a life.”
“Hrhrhr. Better discipline your brat, Elder Son. To think he’d start swinging fists and swords just because a pretty face smiled his way? With that temper, how many men will live long in this world, eh?”
The ragged man mocked without restraint.
Sonwi dared not retort—for the newcomer was none other than Hongruge, Branch Lord of the Beggar’s Sect in Hebei.
Known for ruthless methods, his very name inspired dread.
Only then did Junghyeon realize his mistake. He trembled, choking on his breath.
Hongruge snorted and turned—locking eyes with Kang Yongun.
My god…
Yongun’s jaw dropped.
He knew this man.
That ragged beggar he had often shared leftover food with… was this master?!
Look at that dantian…!
A deep azure light filled half his lower abdomen—far stronger than the Pavilion Master’s.
Incredible.
“Interesting,” Hongruge muttered, eyes glinting.
It felt as though he were peering directly into Yongun’s dantian.
What happened overnight? His inner strength is so… clear? Has he shed his skin entirely?
This wasn’t improvement—it was transformation.
I thought him just a decent lad with good bones and a kind heart. But to fight boldly with the crude Three Talents Sword, improvising brilliantly… he truly shines like a pearl in the mud.
“Thank you for your help, elder.”
Yongun cupped his fists, bowing.
He had clearly seen it—Hongruge’s bamboo staff shattering Junghyeon’s refined steel sword in an instant.
“Hrhrhr. You don’t even call it a lifesaving grace, brat?”
“Ah, that’s…”
“Wouldn’t losing just an arm have sufficed?”
A soft voice interjected—it was the Pavilion Master, rushing in after hearing of Yongun’s peril.
“In this cruel world, life without an arm is worse than death. Don’t you agree, boy?”
Hongruge ignored her words, his gaze fixed keenly on Yongun.
Sparkle. Sparkle.
His eyes gleamed—the same way Elder Sonwi had looked at him earlier.
Thump.
The Pavilion Master’s heart sank.
