That night.

“......?”

Yeon Hojeong, who had been sitting alone on his bed reviewing the next operation, sensed an extremely covert presence shooting toward him.

The concealment of that presence was in no way inferior to an assassin’s, but the clarity held within the energy was deeper and purer than any orthodox divine art under heaven.

Why?

It was an energy Yeon Hojeong knew. That was why he was even more surprised.

Because the “person” he knew would never move in such a covert way.

SHHK.

Yeon Hojeong slipped out through the window in one breath, landed in the courtyard, and looked west.

The clear presence was gradually moving away. It likely meant for him to follow.

Why not just send a voice transmission?

He did not know the reason, but Yeon Hojeong moved anyway. Qi revealed not only a person’s feelings but even their character, and at the very least, he could sense no wicked intent from “this person.”

SHHHK.

Yeon Hojeong covertly followed the other party’s qi. Since he had been summoned in this manner in the dead of night, it had to be something no one else was meant to know.

How long had he moved like that?

After advancing a full twenty li, a modest training ground appeared before he knew it. It was a training ground Yeon Hojeong had never seen before.

There were several such places within the Martial Alliance. The Martial Alliance was that vast.

And at the center of that training ground.

“You have come.”

Yeon Hojeong clasped his fist and palm with discipline.

“It has been far too long.”

“Hoho.”

Surprisingly, the one who had called Yeon Hojeong was none other than the sect leader of the Wudang Sect, Daoist Seunghyeon.

“You are the commander of a field-force unit, so unlike idle old people with nothing to do, how busy must you have been? I should have stopped by once in a while to at least pat you on the shoulder, but my backside was heavy, and I could not even bring myself to visit. I am sorry.”

“How could you say such a thing?”

“I mean it.”

Of course, Yeon Hojeong knew as well. Daoist Seunghyeon was not speaking empty words.

Daoist Seunghyeon clasped both hands behind the back and looked up at the sky.

“You are a truly astonishing person.”

Yeon Hojeong silently looked at Daoist Seunghyeon.

Daoist Seunghyeon, who had been looking up at the sky, slowly closed both eyes.

“The first time I saw you was after you returned from traveling the Central Plains with the Evil-Smiting Corps and eliminating many villains.”

“.......”

“At that time, I questioned you without considering the circumstances. Hoho, I say I questioned you, but in truth, I had a strong mind to scold you. Shamefully so.”

“No.”

“But you had your own convictions, and you cared for the troops more than anyone. We did not exchange many words, but it was enough of a conversation for me to know your sincerity.”

Daoist Seunghyeon opened those eyes again and looked at Yeon Hojeong.

For a moment, Yeon Hojeong felt his heart grow strangely desolate.

Daoist Seunghyeon’s gaze as it looked at him. That gaze made him recall again the purity that had rotted away on battlefields where blood and flesh flew everywhere, a purity he too must surely have been born with.

Daoist Seunghyeon’s gaze was that clear and deep. It was different in nature from Yeon Hojeong’s uniquely clear eyes; it was the gaze of a true Daoist who had not only realized the Way of immortal martial arts, but had also mastered the Way of the secular world.

“It is nearly impossible to find salvation in a life stained with the karma of killing. At least, that is what I think.”

“.......”

“But you were different. You were wielding a killing sword, but you were filled with an unshaken, powerful heart and concern for the world. It was a dangerous line, but I knew that line was extremely thick and firm.”

“You praise me too highly.”

“It is not excessive praise. I am merely speaking honestly of what I saw and felt.”

Daoist Seunghyeon smiled.

“I like you.”

Those words carried an immense resonance.

Yeon Hojeong had never lived seeking another person’s recognition, but he felt his emotions unexpectedly surge.

The leader of the Wudang Sect, a true Daoist different from the secular masters who only looked impressive on the outside, liked him. Even though he was a killer who had lived his entire life soaked in blood.

He was grateful for that fact, and also ashamed. Because he did not think he was someone deserving of recognition from such an outstanding Daoist.

“However, no matter how thick the goodness one possesses may be, the turbid water poured over it by the karma of killing is always frightening. I am sure you will handle yourself well, but this worried old horse-face could not help being deeply concerned for your future.”

“I am grateful even for those words.”

“So I wish to give you a small bit of help.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.

“Help?”

Daoist Seunghyeon suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

“Around noon today, the Abbot came to see me.”

“......!”

“The Abbot did not tell me exactly what circumstances were involved. Only that you were fighting a difficult battle, and asked whether there was anything I could do for you.”

“The Abbot......”

“I heard that there are several people moving with you. But they are heads of the Six Great Clans, people who are already standing on the threshold of completion. Whether in martial arts, their own convictions, or the purpose of their lives.”

The biting wind of late winter quieted, and the warm breeze of early spring blew in.

Facing that wind, Daoist Seunghyeon’s gaze grew deeper and deeper.

“I know that you are no less than the heads of the Six Great Clans or the heads of the Nine Sects and One Union.”

“That is more than I can bear.”

“I am not speaking of martial arts. I am speaking of your will and firm character.”

“I still lack much.”

Daoist Seunghyeon shook the head.

“However, you are still young. Because you are young, you are more frightening. I do not know for certain, but among the central figures of the next-generation martial world, there will not be many juniors whose names cast a reputation as radiant as yours.”

“.......”

“One who possesses power cannot be free from the responsibility that weight brings. The moment that responsibility is forgotten, the world will fall into misery. One may wonder whether such a thing is possible through the madness of a single person, but it is more than possible. That is the martial world, and that is also the way of the world.”

I know.

Yeon Hojeong almost answered that without realizing it.

Whether martial or scholarly, those who exert great influence upon the world are not easy to control by that fact alone. A single word from them shakes the hearts of the masses, and when the hearts of the masses shake, even the foundation of a nation shakes.

Those who sit in high places, those who earn unparalleled reputations.

That was why such people had to possess a sense of responsibility. Even if the life was not one they wanted, they had to show a stature befitting it.

Only then would the world not fall into chaos. If one lacked the confidence to do so, the best course was to leave the secular world and enter the mountains.

It was cold, but it was the truth.

“Those statesmen who possess power, or great merchants, have always been that way. They abuse their rights, yet it is not easy to find those who take responsibility befitting those rights.”

Daoist Seunghyeon naturally waved one hand.

HOOOOOOONG.

Warm wind swirled around those aged fingertips, gently heating the air of the training ground.

“Come up.”

Yeon Hojeong climbed onto the training ground.

Daoist Seunghyeon slowly lowered into a stance.

“Watch closely. At your level, once should be enough.”

It began from then.

From that moment, Daoist Seunghyeon’s beautiful dance began.

HOOOOOOONG.

The softly stepping feet were so light they seemed to have no weight at all.

WHOOM. HOOOOOOONG.

Clear, profound True Qi filled both hands as they swept through the air.

The broad sleeves crossed this way and that through the air, yet made no sound. Only the sound of wind flowing along those hands tickled Yeon Hojeong’s ears.

Soft, and softer still. Daoist Seunghyeon’s two hands, moving with boundless gentleness, drew lines more beautiful than any dancer under heaven.

But on Yeon Hojeong’s face as he watched, astonishment appeared before admiration.

This is?!

WHOOM!

The sound of wind grew fiercer.

The beautiful lines of the dance slowly, slowly became sharp. The softness created by the curves remained, but the forms that had drawn perfect circles gradually flattened and quickened.

At last.

BOOM!

A swift punch burst through empty air.

The supply and release of True Qi were perfect. That was why the fist art was all the more astonishing.

Even though explosive force had not been used, the shock wave spreading through the air was unbelievably abundant. The power gathered through circles was loaded into each punch, and with that alone, it seemed capable of smashing even peak martial arts head-on.

What was even more astonishing was that Yeon Hojeong already knew that fist art.

SHHHK.

Daoist Seunghyeon straightened the posture and smiled awkwardly.

“How was it?”

“......It was incredible.”

“Do not say that. This poor Daoist still lacks cultivation. That is why too much force was loaded here and there.”

Yeon Hojeong was purely impressed.

“That is not something you should say. Who else could display such power through Wudang Taiji Fist, which is supposed to be boundlessly soft?”

Yes. What Daoist Seunghyeon had shown was Taiji Fist, which Yeon Hojeong also knew.

But just because the movements were similar did not mean it could be called the same Taiji Fist.

Daoist Seunghyeon’s Taiji Fist contained enlightenment that could not be described in words, along with perfect supply, release, and expression of force.

It was not a martial art one could wield simply by knowing the movements. The form was easy, but the enlightenment contained within it was difficult to imitate even one part in a hundred.

That was Daoist Seunghyeon’s martial path. It was the underlying power of the Wudang sect leader, who had become whole alone on the foundation of pure enlightenment and the teachings of past masters despite not having gone through many real battles.

And the moment Yeon Hojeong saw it, he could be certain.

I would lose.

If he had the power of the Dark Emperor, he could win. No, not even the Dark Emperor—if he rose just one level higher than he was now, he could, with his extreme practical combat ability, have a neck-and-neck bout with Daoist Seunghyeon.

But Yeon Hojeong would lose. He had no choice but to lose.

I have already lost in my heart.

Martial arts could not be performed only with fists, feet, and weapons.

From Daoist Seunghyeon’s Taiji Fist, Yeon Hojeong felt a depth that was difficult to dare reach. And toward that depth, he felt awe.

Perhaps even if Yeon Hojeong recovered the strength he had possessed in his days as the Dark Emperor, he would not be able to win against Daoist Seunghyeon.

Why? Because he would not try to fight in the first place.

If Daoist Seunghyeon pointed a sword at him, Yeon Hojeong would immediately put down his axe and declare defeat.

That was the pinnacle of immortal-path martial learning, the ultimate enlightenment that cultivators of the Daoist and Buddhist paths ought to reach.

Daoist Seunghyeon burst into hearty laughter.

“How very like you. To look at my Taiji Fist and think of victory and defeat first.”

“Ah......”

“As expected, you are a born warrior. Ten years from now, those who can defeat you with the martial arts of the secular world will be countable on one hand.”

“I am ashamed.”

“You looked at my Taiji Fist and thought of victory and defeat rather than wanting to resemble it, and soon saw yourself defeated. That is the difference between you and me. However, I wish to narrow that difference, if only a little.”

“Yes?”

“I heard that you and several heads of the Six Great Clans are doing arduous work for the martial world. I did not ask separately, but seeing the Abbot’s face, I thought it must be no ordinary matter.”

“.......”

“I do not know what kind of killing karma will dye your future red, but I wish to plant at least one strand of warmth in your exhausted heart. That is all.”

Immediately after those words, Daoist Seunghyeon recited an unknown formula.

Yeon Hojeong immediately knelt and recited Daoist Seunghyeon’s formula exactly as he had heard it.

It was not a martial art of the Wudang Sect. It was Daoist Seunghyeon’s enlightenment, dissolved into Taiji Fist.

Daoist Seunghyeon’s voice was astonishingly calm, and there was a strange rhythm to it, as though one were listening to a song. It also held a powerful resonance, enough for anyone to memorize it after hearing it once.

And so, before departing on campaign, Yeon Hojeong received a great gift.

It was the supreme enlightenment of the Primordial Martial God of Wudang’s immortal mountain, something that might protect his heart for the rest of his life.