Among the world’s greatest martial masters, there were so known as the Living Buddhas.
Great Master Wonjeok was undoubtedly one of them—a revered leader of one of the Nine Orthodox Sects.
Her cultivation had reached the very limits of human potential.
This ant she had no reason to burn away food into pure Qi using her internal energy.
At her age, she should have been taking care of her body.
"Is she even listening?"
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been speaking with rare passion, suddenly hesitated.
Great Master Wonjeok was smiling.
It was a faint smile—so subtle it resembled the Buddha’s enigmatic "Flower Sermon" smile.
Because her face had always been rigid and still, the slight shift in expression stood out all the more.
Is this rare?
The monks seated beside her reacted almost imdiately.
Their expressions changed—so parted their lips slightly, others raised their brows in silent surprise.
It was as if their vow of silent ditation had been shattered.
Even though they had previously exchanged transmitted whispers, they had outwardly remained composed.
Now, however, their reactions were clearly visible.
It was then that Great Master Wonjeok spoke, her voice slow and deliberate.
“You, Jeong Yeon-shin, are a master of Observational Insight.”
Her voice, tinged with a faint smile, was remarkably gentle and kind.
Yeon-shin almost found himself smiling as well—
but instead, he rely parted his lips and replied calmly.
“I am not without knowledge.”
“That ans you see things differently.
"There are many masters of Observational Insight in this world,
yet your perspective deviates from the norm.”
“…Excuse ?”
“The way you observe people’s bodies is unique.
"You see them as a parent watching over a child…
"As a grandchild worrying over a grandparent…
"Your insight carries with it the weight of care and mindfulness.
"I feel warmth in my heart.”
With just a single statent, she had penetrated the depths of Jeong Yeon-shin’s martial principles.
It was truly astonishing.
Yeon-shin’s eyes widened slightly.
Conversely, Great Master Wonjeok’s gaze softened,
faint crow’s feet forming at the corners of her eyes.
“I now understand the sacrifices you have made.”
“…What do you an?”
“I speak of the Martial Gathering Proclamation you issued.
"The unorthodox and demonic sects are as fractured and chaotic as the scattered hairs of a macaque.
"It is never easy to gather them in one place.
"Yet, you used your proclamation as a hamr, striking with such force that they had no choice but to stand their ground and face you.”
Great Master Wonjeok squared her narrow shoulders slightly as she continued.
“When I first read those words,
I was reminded of a young and reckless warrior of my past.
"One who sought to bring peace to the world by simply following his heart’s will."
“…You an my maternal grandfather?”
"It was a shallow assumption on my part.
"You deliberately donned an ill-fitting guise to draw attention.
"Yet, I failed to perceive the wisdom behind it.
"I did not consider the Buddhist parable of "Who shall descend into hell?"”
“…Ah.”
“To stake one's na upon a proclamation for all the world to see…
"That is a heavy burden to bear.
"Every single word must be chosen with caution, as the eyes of the world will scrutinize them.
"I cannot begin to imagine how much you have already endured.”
“…I am unworthy of such words.”
Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his chin slightly as he spoke.
Perhaps because he was facing a high-ranking monk,
sothing weighed on his mind, and he hesitated to nod fully.
Great Master Wonjeok gave him a faint smile.
“I will inform the disciples of our sect.
"Once this Martial Gathering is over,
"Amitabha Sect shall welco the Lord of Bright Wings as an honored guest.
"When our temple is rebuilt soday,
I hope you will pay a visit.
"And if, upon my death, a relic pearl is found within my body,
"I hope you will offer it your respects.”
“I will co to see you alive, Master.”
“You do not intend to yield the Golden Dawn Sect Master to , do you?”
“She is the mortal enemy of all true martial artists.”
“I understand. Then I must simply hope that my movent techniques surpass yours.
"Whoever steps onto the dueling platform first shall face the Golden Dawn Sect Master.”
“My Ten-League Lightstep is different from Amitabha Sect’s Bodhisattva Steps.
"It lacks the principle of stillness within motion,
but excels in speed and rapid directional shifts.
"Master, I advise you to give up and focus on preserving your lower back instead.”
A soft laugh rang out.
Not just from Great Master Wonjeok, but from the other Amitabha monks as well.
For once, Jeong Yeon-shin’s words had not been provocation, but genuine concern.
A rare, peaceful mont.
The Nine Orthodox Sects were, after all, still the Nine Orthodox Sects.
“Amitabha Sect is, after all, a martial order within the Jianghu.
"We cannot extend excessive favor to Ipwang Fortress…
"Yet, now that I have resolved my misunderstandings about your character,
"I find myself unable to resist the flow of my heart.”
Great Master Wonjeok gazed at the Lord of Bright Wings with her clear, serene eyes.
The young man before her would never understand.
Just how many secular martial sects, nobles, and governnt officials climbed Mount Amitabha each year, seeking a few words from the temple’s elders to gain worldly influence.
Monks who could shatter boulders with a single strike.
Taoist priests who could walk upon air.
The Nine Orthodox Sects were not only martial schools—
they were also imnsely influential religious institutions.
Their ability to move the hearts of the people was strong enough to affect even the Imperial Court in Beijing.
But that was not what Jeong Yeon-shin cared about.
"I have devised several thods to deal with the Golden Dawn Sect Master."
As Jeong Yeon-shin spoke,
Great Master Wonjeok rolled her prayer beads,
and, one by one, the Amitabha monks joined the conversation.
The calm and solemn atmosphere of the Orthodox Sect gathering faded.
— The Lord of Bright Wings is nothing like the rumors claim.
— All my years of chanting the Lotus Sutra were wasted.
— We foolishly overestimated his maternal grandfather.
— If one’s martial arts lead them to the Buddha’s Great Samadhi, they must not be swayed by prejudice…
— He has shown us the heart of a bodhisattva by offering his knowledge freely. Should we not call him a Bodhisattva?
As the faint scent of temple incense dissipated,
the conversation flowed like a gentle stream.
“Jeong Yeon-shin.”
“Yes, Master?”
“If, after this Martial Gathering, we both survive—
"Co find again,
"And ask about the Huashan Pact.”
Great Master Wonjeok said.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes flickered with curiosity.
The Huashan Pact.
On the day his grandfather’s blue flas consud the Bloodfla Cult Leader,
that demon had spoken of it in passing.
It was said to be an oath made between the great orthodox masters and his grandfather in their youth.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly.
“I shall.”
“And when you co—
"Make sure to bring her out of there.”
Great Master Wonjeok glanced past Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.
Her deep, dark gaze resembled a starless night sky.
In that instant—
Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow rippled with an eerie disturbance.
***
For Two Days, He Listened to Many Stories.
— "You must be wary of Heavenly Scales Dragon Motion Art. It is the Golden Dawn Sect Master's movent technique. The way she accelerates in an instant is on par with so of the strongest speed-enhancing techniques. Even I nearly suffered a grievous misstep."
— "If you ever face the Golden Dawn Sect Master, it would be wise to avoid using Ten Thousand Blossoms in the Rain during that mont. Her Vaulting Sky Dragon Strike covers an enormous trajectory, yet there was no room to break through. Her technique fills every gap with devastating force waves…"
— "Do not be deceived by the Golden Dawn Sect Master’s beauty—who is said to be the most stunning woman in all of Sichuan—or by the mild-mannered appearance of the Tenfold Gate Lord. The number of commoners they have slain in Sichuan's martial world over the years…"
It was not just Great Master Wonjeok and the Amitabha monks who had co to warn him.
The Lord of the Tang Clan and So Geomhwi of Jeomchang had each co separately to speak with him as well.
Though, to be frank, So Geomhwi had not been particularly helpful.
During this ti, Jeong Yeon-shin also had to send off Hahoe Wi-jin and Cheon So-so, whom he had briefly t again at the Tang Clan's domain.
They were needed to gather the scattered warriors of Cheonrimdae, Seonmokryeong, and Suncheon Ik, who were spread out across the land.
The world was already in chaos.
Right now, warriors who bore the Scarlet Huang character on their backs were the easiest targets for every rogue and cutthroat in the martial world.
In these tis of famine, it was even worse.
“Hah! Those beggars know all too well about the fortress's supply chains.
"Even the Ipwang Sword is a rare blade, hard to find anywhere else in the world—so, of course, these worthless vagrants co swarming like moths to a fla.
"Even the White Rank warriors of Ipwang Fortress will eventually collapse from exhaustion if they keep fighting endlessly.”
“They will arrive by the day of the Martial Gathering.”
Even as Hahoe Wi-jin and Cheon So-so left, becoming re specks in the distance, they turned back several tis to glance over their shoulders.
Their movents carried worry.
Perhaps they were uneasy about leaving their junior behind in the Golden Dawn Sect Master's grasp.
This was different from the ti when he had faced the Ghost Tyrant King within the Flood Dragon Formation.
After That…
Even the pre-battle banquet on the night before the Martial Gathering was held in silence.
The grandmasters of the orthodox sects barely spoke.
Even the sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls was absent.
A man who had massacred Northern nomads,
The forr master of the previous Sunmaryeon Lord,
A person who had devoured an Imoogi’s inner core.
Never before had three of Sichuan’s Thirteen Lords gathered in one place.
The Tang Clan, having already lost all its successors, now feared they might lose even their venerable lord.
Mount Qingcheng and Amitabha Sect, who had both retreated into seclusion by nightfall, seed to be spending their final hours with their respective sect leaders.
The upper echelon of Sichuan’s martial world had gathered.
A clear indication of just how far-reaching the repercussions of this Martial Gathering would be.
Step, Step.
After downing a few cups of Shaoxing wine, Jeong Yeon-shin left the banquet hall alone.
The whispers of low voices occasionally echoed through the still night air.
As he walked slowly across the dimly lit ground, he spotted a group of children playing in the corner of the courtyard.
They were branch family children of the Tang Clan.
At a glance, they seed much like him—unable to endure the heavy atmosphere of the adults.
"Next! It's my turn next!"
"I want another ride! Just ten more tis!"
"You already had twenty-five turns!"
"This ti, I really an it!"
They were arguing over a Dano Festival swing, whispering and bickering in a rather endearing manner.
"I have to wait again? I wish Brother Yuhwa were here to swing ."
"But Sister Ryeo-ryeo swung even higher."
The nas of the Twin Venoms of the Dragon and Phoenix surfaced.
Toxic Dragon Tang Yuhwa and Toxic Phoenix Tang Ryeo-ryeo.
Even though they were children, they were still blood relatives of the Tang Clan.
Their expressions darkened instantly—as if they knew the two siblings were dead.
Even the words Flood Dragon Formation ca up.
From afar, Jeong Yeon-shin stood still, watching until the children had all left.
Then, suddenly—
His waist felt heavier.
"……."
After lingering in the night breeze for a while,
he set down a plate of food he had carried from the banquet.
A simple dish of dumplings.
He placed it on top of his own shadow.
Shhhh—
Nothing happened.
Ti passed silently.
Before long—
The sky began to brighten in the distance.
The faint dawn light stretched over the horizon, spilling soundlessly toward the earth.
It touched the rope of the Dano Festival swing—
Then moved toward Jeong Yeon-shin’s waist sash—
And finally, it reached his sword, illuminating the blade for an instant.
At that mont, he nad his sword.
Yorae (餘雷).
The Lightning That Remains on Earth.
A Day That Would Be Talked About for Generations.
The gathering at Mount Misan was already the subject of rumors.
To so, the outco of this Martial Gathering was already decided.
There were no qualifications needed to witness the duels of supre masters.
Naturally, countless people had gathered.
This event would not only shake the martial world of Sichuan, but also cause a ripple effect across neighboring regions.
The dozens of peaks of Mount Misan were already packed with spectators from early morning.
Many had even claid their spots before dawn.
“Hey! Move aside! Can't you see I’ve already staked my place here?”
“Are you talking to ?”
“I’m a martial artist, too! Do you think an eye patch makes you look cool or sothing…?
"Wait, those tiger stripes on your sleeve… Could you be—?”
“Move. I am only restraining my sword out of respect for the Tenfold Gate Lord.”
“Lie down! Just lie down right here!”
The crowd continued to swell, like gathering storm clouds.
The mountain paths were completely jamd.
There were sword-wielding martial artists, rchant caravans, and even major security escorts who had co in large numbers.
The sheer number of common folk was impossible to count.
Scattered among them, high-ranking governnt officials, dressed in their ornate robes, sat under makeshift canopies set up along the cliffs.
Like an army assembling on the battlefield,
they all gathered and rumbled like thunder.
It was a spectacle like no other,
as if every corner of the Jianghu had converged in one place.
And then, the sun reached its zenith.
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