* * *“You fought well.”
Sima Ryunju studied Lee Sungmin and spoke.
“When I saw you fighting An Zun, you handled the Great Yokai’s power well, but now you’re completely beyond the level that you were at during that fight. Watching you now, was like watching a true yokai fight.”
Lee Sungmin lowered his arms, which had been broken due to the excessive movement during the fight. However, there was no pain felt at all. The reason was due to his monstrous regenerative abilities, which healed him on the spot.
“Your mutated body is definitely intriguing, including the way you use the power of the Great Yokai. I can also definitely feel the spirit of him dwelling within you, so I can definitely understand, to an extent, how you can coordinate such attacks.”
[It must be awfully noticeable then.]
Heoju murmured.
“I didn’t know it was possible for the Great Yokai’s strength and inner circuitry through his spirit to be coordinated as well as it is with your own internal circuitry. There’s also something else within you.”
“What do you mean?”
“.. A Dragon”
Said Sima Ryunju.
“I don’t know if you are conscious of it or not, but you are stimulating and using the power unique to dragons, known as Dragon Fear.”
“A Dragon’s… what?”
“Fear.”
Sima Ryunju said with a soft-spoken and careful voice.
“You see, whenever you circulate the internal energy within your dantian and expand it out into your internal circuits and release it, it’s mixing with the presence of a dragon, causing the power known as Dragon Fear to exude from your own body. Not to mention someone weaker than you, but even if one has a certain edge over you, they will suffer immense pressure by simply being around you. During your fight with that brat, she was immediately overwhelmed when you released it.”
At the words, Lee Sungmin recalled what happened previously in Belador when he attacked the Namgung Family’s Main Branch.
When Lee Sungmin at the time had brought forth and circulated his internal energy around him in earnest, The warriors of the Namgung Family, who had stepped up to confront Lee Sungmin, had either suffered internal injuries, vomited blood or collapsed altogether.
“…wasn’t it simply them noticing my strength in earnest and noticing the presence of the Great Yokai’s powers within me?”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
Sima Ryunju let out a smile.
“Do you think it’s possible to inflict internal injuries with only exuding and circulating your internal energy? Of course, it’s possible if you’re an incredible martial artist who has stepped into the Realm of Mystical Beings. But something like that, is impossible at your level, even if you have transcended your human limits.”
This news was something Lee Sungmin, instinctively recognized, could not be ignored.
Lee Sungmin stared at Sima Ryunju with a trembling face.
“Heoju, the Great Yokai, is a powerful being and spirit now, but it is impossible at your level, even with his presence, to injure someone to that extent. What I thought immediately after I saw this happen during the fight, was I noticed that power that belonged to only one race, and one race only. The Dragons.”
Lee Sungmin nodded his head with a blank expression. In any case, Sima Ryunju moved behind Lee Sungmin to examine him.
“How do you feel?”
“……what do you mean?”
“Weren’t you able to overcome yourself and meet your goal? You recently defeated the person whom you called to be your very target of admiration, ideal and was your sole goal as a martial artist. Don’t you feel a sense of accomplishment?”
A sense of accomplishment. Lee Sungmin hesitated and pondered on the words. Honestly, he didn’t know. He was still processing it all, if anything.
Sima Ryunju smiled at Lee Sungmin’s face.
“I knew it. You are too blind as you have only had the Minor Heavenly Demon as the one in your sights. The world is too wide, and there are plenty of beings that you cannot even fathom, that are much stronger than the Minor Heavenly Demon, yourself, or even I for that matter.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, it’s none of my business anyways. But… How do you feel about everything else?”
“What do you mean?”
“To be a disciple of this old man.”
Sima Ryunju asked with a big smile.
“You’ve fought the Minor Heavenly Demon, so you know just what it means to have a person as strong as that not even last ten seconds against this old man.”
“……You make it sound like I am begging you to become my teacher.”
Lee Sungmin sighed and continued to speak.
“There will be plenty of conflict that comes your way if you take me. I am a branded rogue.”
“That doesn’t mean I just choose cats and dogs for disciples. I do not care what you have or where you’re from. I only choose to accept a disciple when they have some ability to a certain degree, and potential to succeed my title.”
“And that’s me?”
“But also your situation is ideal, believe it or not.”
Beyond the playful lion mask, the eyes of Sima Ryunju were narrowed with a bit of ferocity and passion.
“You are a man of integrity and honesty… and you have become an enemy of Beyond the Heavens by killing Qian Zun and Guan Zun. No matter how strong you are as a master of Transcendence, you cannot stand alone against the Murim Alliance and Beyond the Heavens.”
“Do you want me to come in as a disciple because you will protect me?”
“The Murim Alliance is connected to all your misfortunes. Do you know that?”
Lee Sungmin nodded his head and replied.
“I know that the Leader of the Black Dragon Association has direct ties to Beyond the Heavens.”
“Oh, you know that? So, do you know what that means though?”
“……is it supposed to mean something different?”
“Beyond the Heavens is not merely connected with the Murim Alliance.”
Sima Ryunju continued slowly.
“It’s not just the factions within the Murim Alliance. The Murim Alliance has connections with several influential organizations. The merchants, the mercenaries, the wizards, the adventurer guilds.”
Sima Ryunju smiled.
“You’ve become an enemy of their entire scheme. The trigger to all of this, was when you killed ‘Ironclad’. After that, you killed Zhuge Taeryong and Murong Seojin, which inflated your reputation beyond salvation.”
“………I killed ‘Ironclad’ because he wanted to kill me, and I didn’t kill Zhuge Taeryong or Murong Seojin.”
“Oh really? That still doesn’t change anything. You’re alone, and they’re a group. If they say you did, then you did. Who would listen to one man even if you were to say that you were falsely accused?”
Lee Sungmin couldn’t argue any further and kept his mouth shut. Sima Ryunju grinned at Lee Sungmin’s silence.
“Beyond the Heavens is not actively moving yet. Of course, with your strength, there will be few enemies among them that can actually match you. However, there are some that could devastatingly crush you without even having to put up a fight.”
It was confirmed that it was possible for Lee Sungmin to attack even large groups like the Namgung Family, but Sima Ryunju just shook his head.
“The Divine Spirit is too much for you to even think about challenging right now.”
“What about the one called Wudang?”
“He is the oldest swordsman this old man knows of if you dueled against him as you are right now, you will be decapitated in less than 10 seconds.”
“……is he actually rumored to be that strong?”
Sima Ryunju grinned.
“As I said last time. This old man is not uncomfortable about facing anybody except for the three. Wudang the swordsman, The Divine Spirit, and the Predator of Massacre. But the Predator of Massacre isn’t existent, so there’s actually no one that can match me that I have met other than those two. I don’t know much about magic in general, so I haven’t met any Wizards that can fight me on even terms.”
It was an arrogant remark, but the one speaking was Sima Ryunju. He was probably the only one qualified to do so, Lee Sungmin thought.
“I don’t know why, but The Murim Alliance has not yet moved to kill you in earnest. If the Murim Alliance had sincerely moved in earnest to kill you, you would have been in a truly difficult position.”
“Why haven’t they done so?”
“How would this old man know that? In any case, if you become a disciple of this old man, you don’t have to pay much attention to the disputes between the Murim Alliance or Beyond the Heavens. They branded you as a rogue in the first place, but wouldn’t it be better to become a part of the Sama Order in that case?”
“There’s also Predator.”
Lee Sungmin spoke while glancing at Sima Ryunju’s face.
“Wouldn’t it also be safe for me if I joined Predator?”
“You’re going to put yourself in such a crowd of monsters, undeads, and beastmen while also calling yourself human? Haha! True, if that was one of the routes you decide to take, it would work. With your skills, you’ll probably become one of the 5 Black Stars or senior monsters. That’s only if you want to, of course…”
Sima Ryunju burst into laughter as he said the words while Lee Sungmin let out a brief sigh.
The truth was that Lee Sungmin did not want to enter Predator, at least not yet.
Lee Sungmin had no choice in the first place, truthfully. Lee Sungmin had come to the Forest of Fairies for the reunion with Wijihoyeon, but also for the help of the Sama Order due to becoming the branded rogue and public enemy number one by the Murim Alliance and Beyond the Heavens.
He initially wanted to join the Sama Order since, being a part of them would give him some protection, but becoming Sima Ryunju’s direct disciple would be even better for him.
“Do you have any other disciples?”
“None to date.”
Sima Ryunju answered immediately.
“To this day, I have never chosen a direct disciple nor have I had any direct lineage like children or grandchildren to inherit the title.”
“……do you mean you don’t want children?”
“I didn’t feel the need to pass down a title through inheritance.”
[Isn’t that a good thing?]
Heoju, who was listening to Sima Ryunju, murmured to Lee Sungmin.
“……okay.”
Lee Sungmin nodded his head after making up his mind.
“I shall become your disciple.”
Come to think of it, it was Lee Sungmin’s first time to become a disciple of a teacher in either of his two lives.
Although he had learned much of his foundational martial arts through Wijihoyeon, they were friends and rivals, never teacher and disciple. The same was said after he had been instructed by Baek Sogo in the Mountain of Mush, Scarlett, or even when he trained in Shaolin.
He did not even have such a relationship with the deceased Crazy Heavenly Demon. Byuk Won-Pae simply considered Lee Sungmin more like a grandchild of sorts and wanted him to at least carry on his will through his martial art techniques he taught him.
“Good.”
Sima Ryunju nodded his head.
Lee Sungmin stood waiting for the words of Sima Ryunju, and Sima Ryunju frowned over the mask while looking at him.
“……is that all you have to say?”(T/N : Thank god I wasn’t thinking this situation was really going to be that awkward.)
“Do I have to do anything in particular?”
“Well, when one becomes a disciple of any master, they usually perform the 3 ceremonial kowtows. You don’t have to do it, but would you like to try?”
Sima Ryunju asked while standing up.
When asked the question, Lee Sungmin shook his head as his body shuddered in embarrassment and unease.
Lee Sungmin had never performed such an action, but it wasn’t something he necessarily wanted to do. Sima Ryunju spoke while looking at Lee Sungmin.
“Tell me about the kinds of martial arts you have mastered then.”
“All of them?”
“Everything.”
Although Lee Sungmin hesitated for a short time, he eventually told Sima Ryunju about all of his techniques and displayed them individually.
The southern tribe’s breathing technique, The Nine Heavenly Spear techniques, Shadowless footwork techniques and the Blood Rings Martial Arts were the main styles that Lee Sungmin used in his current state, since his past techniques were surpassed with these 3 martial art techniques and current breathing cultivation technique needed to suppress his inhuman tendencies. After hearing all of the styles that Lee Sungmin currently used, Sima Ryunju asked again.
“Are there no instruction manuals for the techniques?”
“……there are.”
“Give them to me.”
Lee Sungmin opened up his spatial pocket and retrieved the 4 different manuals. The makeshift manual Lee Sungmin had received from the tribe as well as the techniques from Wijihoyeon, Baek Sogo and the Crazy Heavenly Demon.
Sima Ryunju received four volumes of Lee Sungmin’s techniques and took a quick glance through them.
“First of all, we need to change your breathing technique to become more stable.”
“Huh?”
“Your breathing technique. It’s a fine cultivation technique, but the cultivation technique that this old man uses is better. And to learn the basic martial arts of the Sama Order, you must learn the breathing technique required.”
“Then wouldn’t I have to give up on trying to maintain the balance of my humanity that I manage with this technique?”
“That’s why I told you. I only need to modify it. There is no problem because we will add the basic flow of the technique required for my martial arts, while also maintaining the necessary balance within your dantian to suppress your inhuman tendencies.”
Sima Ryunju said so and opened the Nine Heavenly Spears manual.
“What is this technique called the Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques?”, asked Sima Ryunju, raising a brow.
“………That’s the martial arts Wijihoyeon taught me by adjusting the basic spear techniques with the most advanced Great Heavenly Demon techniques…….”
“Hm… well a genius is definitely a genius. When did she create this?”
“11 years ago.”
“As expected.”
Sima Ryunju smirked.
“She created it with considerable detail and knowledge, but it’s not enough for you as it is right now. I’ll modify this technique as well to match your current state and implement this old man’s methods into it.”
“Do you mean to modify the basic spear techniques or this technique with the Great Heavenly Demon Techniques mixed as well?”
“The old man does not use a spear, but it is possible to mix my martial arts with this method as it is right now.”
“Is that really going to work for me?”
“I’m sure you know your talent isn’t all that impressive. If you throw away all the traditional martial arts you know and focus solely on learning the martial arts of this old man, how long will it take to reach the level of mastery you have with the other techniques in comparison?”
There was no easy way to do so since, one’s mastered techniques also qualified one to become a Transcendent. Implementing new techniques, so late, would be incredibly difficult to master.
“It’s overall a well-crafted technique though. It definitely has the traces of that brat’s martial art techniques and requires an incredibly high amount of internal energy to use some of the techniques in the martial art.”
The corners of Sima Ryunju’s mouth rolled up as he took one glance at the Shadowless Footwork techniques. He didn’t even bother opening it as he grinned at the cover and glanced at Lee Sungmin as he spoke.
“This is a great technique to use in harmony with this old man’s martial arts haha… You’ll see what I mean eventually.”
The next technique for Sima Ryunju to look at, was the Blood Ring Martial Arts.
“There’s nothing to touch about this. It is a great technique in general, and is very well crafted. If you do learn the martial art technique of this old man, you’ll be able to simply add its presence to this technique and use them together with unrivaled power.”
“What is your martial art then?”
“How long are you going to keep disrespecting your master like this and not address him when he speaks to you?”
When asked by Lee Sungmin, Samaryeonju narrowed his eyes through the mask.
“You have respected those who have taught you martial arts in the past, haven’t you?”
“……What are your martial arts then, Master?”
“ The Dark Storm Arts (黑雷天). “
Answered Sima Ryunju.
“This old man’s level of martial arts, can all be attributed to the cultivation of this technique.”
Sima Ryunju slowly lifted his foot.
“Look carefully and don’t miss the movement.”
Then the feet of the Sima Ryunju touched the ground.
Crkk Crkle!
A dark hole appeared underneath Sima Ryunju’s feet and the space could be heard cracking apart as tendrils of black lightning surrounded Sima Ryunju. Sima Ryunju disappeared right in front of Lee Sungmin’s eyes. It was as Lee Sungmin had felt from Sima Ryunju before.
That was not a high-speed movement. There was no lingering image afterimage. Sima Ryunju disappeared from the space altogether.
“Trust in the path of the storm within the void when using the Dark Storm Arts. It’s a new way to travel using the spatial distortions at a higher level once you start at the Realm of Transcendence. The spatial movement like warp or blink used by wizards is similar, but this movement is much better. If you have a chance someday, you should compare the two.”
“Will I really be able to use it as well?”
“If you successfully learn well from me, you can definitely use it while still only being in the Transcendent Realm.”
Sima Ryunju put the four books of martial arts from Lee Sungmin, in his arms.
“Play in the woods for a while. I’m going to open up these manuals and re-construct them for you.”
“You want me to… play?”
“If you play with the fairies, time will pass pretty easily.”
Sima Ryunju’s feet lifted up.
“Also, just in case… don’t even think of hurting a fairy even if they’re playing around. If that happens, this old man will kill you first.”
The black current popped up, and the image of Sima Ryunju disappeared.