At the words life-or-death battle, Jeok Rihyeon flinched.
“What do you mean by that? A life-or-death battle? Why would you say something so terrifying now?”
“Do not worry. It is not your turn yet, Father.”
That only made it more frightening.
If it was not his turn yet, then did that mean it would come eventually?
“Then who is going to have a life-or-death battle?”
“I will explain when we get there.”
“Where are we going?”
“Let us go to Hundred Peaks Valley.”
“That is where those unpleasant rumors have been circulating lately.”
“Really? Then that works out even better. It would not do to have a place with bad rumors near our home, would it, Grandfather?”
“Quite right. I will clean it up properly.”
“I will handle the cleanup. You will have something else to do, Grandfather.”
“Me? Am I the one who will be having the life-or-death battle?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“I will tell you when we get there.”
“Urgh. You will not tell me anything plainly, will you?”
“I am sorry.”
“No, you said you would tell us once we arrive. Let us go.”
“Yes.”
When Jeok Wigang stood, everyone else rose in a rush as well.
“Are you all coming?”
“We have to.”
“What in the world are you plotting... Let us go.”
“Yes.”
*****
Hundred Peaks Valley.
It was a place where a hundred steep mountains clustered together.
The terrain was treacherous, and fierce beasts were abundant, so few people ever set foot there.
Recently, however, disturbing rumors had begun circulating about the valley.
They concerned a sect that had appeared within Hundred Peaks Valley.
No one went to the valley, and the sect had neither made a name for itself nor carried out any visible activity. Naturally, people found it suspicious.
With no real information available, all sorts of ugly rumors had spread through word of mouth.
At the heart of Hundred Peaks Valley lay Thousand Wilds Plain.
Though it was a broad expanse of open ground, little sunlight reached it. Thick yin energy filled the place, making it unfit for people to live in.
“How did you find a place like this?”
“I wandered around quite a bit when I was young.”
Jeok Rihyeon frowned.
“When? Taecheon was always at your side.”
“I went out while Taecheon was asleep.”
“Taecheon never knew you left?”
“If I put my mind to it, that is not difficult.”
“W-wait. Does that mean you were already strong when you were young?”
“Yes.”
They had been completely fooled.
“Why did you not tell us?”
“To be honest, I was not fully certain at the time. Besides, it would have been awkward if the Gate Master of a martial sect had no inner qi and could not use martial arts. More than anything, becoming Gate Master would have meant losing my freedom.”
“Good grief...”
“Still, do not worry. I will stand firmly behind the True Martial Sect.”
“Just how strong are you?”
Jeok Mugun answered before Jeok Wigang could.
“How strong? Those mountains all around us would turn into flat ground with a single punch from that brat.”
Jeok Rihyeon snorted.
“Father, do you take me for a fool? How could that be possible? Could you do it?”
“I cannot. But I told you, he can.”
“Please stop. There is a limit to teasing someone.”
“Ah, how frustrating! Wigang, tell him yourself.”
Jeok Wigang smiled.
“Grandfather is right.”
“What?”
“I will show you just a little.”
Jeok Wigang immediately threw a punch forward.
WHOOOOM—
KWA-KWA-KWAAANG—
Part of the mountain peak before them vanished without leaving a trace.
It had not even looked as though he had used much strength.
Jeok Rihyeon rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the place where the peak should have been was simply empty.
“Th-this...”
That ridiculous claim had been entirely true.
“How can you possess such strength without a dantian?”
“Perhaps you could call it heaven-given strength.”
“What? You produced that kind of power with a pure punch, without any inner qi?”
“Yes.”
Could he really believe this?
“If you do not believe me, you can examine my dantian.”
“No. Your word will be enough. Incredible... My son was this strong.”
Jeok Rihyeon then remembered the mention of a life-or-death battle.
“Earlier, you said someone had to fight a life-or-death battle. You are not saying it will be your father, are you?”
There was no chance he could face that monstrous fist.
“No. Grandfather will be the one fighting.”
Jeok Mugun startled.
“Me? Why? I have no desire to fight you at all.”
“Not me.”
“Then who? Who is going to fight me in a life-or-death battle?”
His eyes naturally moved to Jeok Rihyeon.
Jeok Rihyeon hurriedly waved both hands.
“H-how could I possibly be a match for Father? No! I absolutely will not do it!”
“Not him?”
“No. Would I throw Father into a pit of fire?”
“Then who?”
“Come out.”
At Jeok Wigang’s call, someone slowly stepped out while cautiously reading the room.
It was Ye Yahyeon.
“You said you spent a long time steeling yourself. Grandfather searched for you everywhere too. Take this chance to settle the grudge between you.”
“May I really...?”
“Yes.”
Jeok Mugun tilted his head.
“Who is he? I searched for that boy everywhere?”
“You will know when you see him.”
Jeok Wigang spoke to Ye Yahyeon.
“Show him your true form.”
CRRRK—
Ye Yahyeon’s bones twisted as his appearance returned to its original shape.
The instant Jeok Mugun saw him, his eyes turned cold and sharp.
“You are... the Poison-Mandate Divine Demon?”
“That is right. It has been a long time, Heavenly Martial Emperor.”
Jeok Mugun looked at Jeok Wigang.
“What is going on?”
“I met him in the imperial palace. He seemed useful, so I took him in. Then I learned he was one of the old Four Divine Demons. One of the Four Divine Demons you searched for so long.”
“That is right.”
“Now that he serves under me, settle your grudge. He said he trained immensely in order to defeat you.”
“Is that so?”
One corner of Jeok Mugun’s mouth rose as he addressed Ye Yahyeon in a casual tone.
“It has been a long time.”
“It has.”
“I searched like mad for you, and you were at Wigang’s side all along.”
“That is how it turned out.”
“Are you truly certain you serve under Wigang?”
“Yes.”
“What are you plotting?”
“Plotting...? There is nothing like that. At first, I followed him because I was afraid. That is no longer the case. I serve him sincerely now.”
There was no falsehood in Ye Yahyeon’s expression.
Jeok Mugun let out a faint laugh and looked at Jeok Wigang.
What an extraordinary fellow.
Who would have imagined that he would make one of the Four Divine Demons his subordinate?
It felt as though one of the heavy burdens resting on his shoulders had been lifted.
His heart felt at ease.
And now?
Now he only had to enjoy what his grandson had prepared for him.
“I thought there was something strange about you from the moment I first saw you. So you trained hard to defeat me?”
“Yes. If you take me for the man I was in the past, you will be making a grave mistake.”
“Is that so? Thinking I am the man I was in the past would be a mistake as well.”
“We will learn who has grown stronger once we fight.”
“Come, then.”
The moment the words ended, Jeok Mugun and Ye Yahyeon clashed.
An enormous shockwave swept in every direction.
WHOOOOM—
Jeok Rihyeon could not make sense of what was happening.
He had thought these men were merely guards sent from the imperial palace to protect Jeok Wigang.
Yet one of them was one of the infamous Four Divine Demons.
And not only that—he was Jeok Wigang’s subordinate.
Now he was fighting Jeok Mugun.
They attacked each other as though they truly meant to kill, but it was obvious to anyone watching that Jeok Mugun held the overwhelming advantage.
“Urgh!”
One of Ye Yahyeon’s knees hit the ground.
Bright red blood continued to flow from the corner of his mouth.
Jeok Mugun, on the other hand, did not appear tired in the slightest.
“You have grown quite strong.”
Ye Yahyeon laughed hollowly.
“Damn monster... Was it still beyond me?”
“Sorry, but I have done too much life-or-death training with that brat over there. I grew much stronger during that time. Before, I might have struggled against you.”
At Jeok Mugun’s words, Ye Yahyeon looked at Jeok Wigang.
“Make me strong too.”
Jeok Wigang grinned and nodded.
“As much as you want.”
“Thank you.”
THUD—
With those final words, Ye Yahyeon lost consciousness.
Jeok Mugun walked over slowly and asked Jeok Wigang,
“Hey. What are you planning to do by making that man stronger?”
“The more strong people there are, the better. Does overwhelming strength not preserve peace?”
“That is true, but... can you trust him?”
“If he does anything foolish later, I will deal with him.”
Why did those words make Jeok Mugun feel so reassured?
“Fine. He is your subordinate, so handle him yourself. But why is that fellow staring at me like that?”
“Maybe seeing you stirred his competitive spirit.”
“He looks rather capable himself.”
“He is stronger than the Four Divine Demons.”
“Oh? Really?”
Son Gang met Jeok Mugun’s gaze.
“If it would not be presumptuous, would you exchange a few moves with me?”
“What is today, some kind of special day? I am getting quite the workout.”
Jeok Mugun grinned and crooked a finger at him.
“I have warmed up enough. Do you need time to loosen up?”
“There is no need.”
BAM—!
The battle began again.
This time, power on an entirely different level collided in midair, sending powerful waves rolling in every direction.
Watching the tremendous duel, Jeok Rihyeon felt something boiling deep within his chest.
He wanted to become strong too.
He wanted to grow strong enough to protect the family he loved with his own hands.
Jeok Rihyeon turned to Jeok Wigang.
“Can this father of yours become that strong too?”
Jeok Wigang grinned and nodded.
“Of course. You will become as strong as Grandfather.”
“Good! If that is possible, I will do anything you tell me to.”
“Yes. I will make you strong without fail.”
Jeok Rihyeon clenched both fists and watched the duel between Jeok Mugun and Son Gang.
KWA-KWA-KWAAANG—!
As Jeok Mugun countered Son Gang’s attack, he exclaimed in admiration.
“Oh! Such power. You truly are stronger than that man lying over there.”
“I had my doubts after hearing he was defeated, but you truly are strong.”
“You have earned my acknowledgment too. But surely you are not Wigang’s subordinate as well?”
“I am.”
“Good grief. Heavenly Martial Castle is becoming a force that will not even have an equal.”
“Enough talking. Should we not finish this soon?”
“From what I can see, you have not used your full strength.”
“For certain reasons, I cannot reveal my full power.”
“Reasons?”
Jeok Mugun looked toward Jeok Wigang.
He wondered whether Jeok Wigang had told Son Gang not to reveal his true ability.
Then Jeok Wigang said,
“Grandfather. He is a shapeshifter. He must change his body before he can show his true strength.”
“A shapeshifter? There is a race like that?”
“There are divine beasts. Is it so strange that humans would have unusual races too?”
“Is that so?”
Jeok Mugun looked at Son Gang with curiosity.
Son Gang spoke.
“Big Brother is correct. I am of the Dragon-Scale race. We are called that because we transform into forms resembling dragons.”
“You transform into something like a dragon? How interesting. Let me see.”
Son Gang looked toward Jeok Wigang.
Jeok Wigang nodded.
Son Gang broke into a broad grin.
A tremendous aura began to pour from his body.