Chapter 467 – When Plum Blossoms Bloom, Guests Arrive (2)

The meeting didn't take long.

Zhongnan Sect also held deep-rooted enmity toward the Demon Cult, so they decided to cooperate wholeheartedly.

It was a meaningful moment when Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect, who'd repeated rivalry and envy for over hundreds of years in Shaanxi Province, united as one again.

Even after the meeting ended, Go Il-won didn't return to Zhongnan Sect. Because he had a place to visit with Taoist Hyeon-so and others.

Myeong-gyeong attached himself as escort preparing for any situation. For Myeong-gyeong, Mount Hua's First Sword, to serve as someone else's escort was never common. It was only possible because the subject was Taoist Hyeon-so.

Taoist Hyeon-so said there was no need, but Myeong-gyeong deliberately came along using escort as an excuse.

Light of admiration appeared in Go Il-won's eyes looking at Myeong-gyeong.

"I heard he's the new Mount Hua's First Sword, and indeed his aura is tremendous. Even Taoist Hyeon-geom from years past wasn't to that degree."

Slightly envious feelings arose.

Though both suffered great damage from the Demon Cult, Mount Hua Sect united solidly around the reliable spiritual pillar of Taoist Hyeon-so overcoming tribulation, and raised an outstanding martial artist named Myeong-gyeong.

On the other hand, Zhongnan Sect lacked much. Though Go Il-won led managing most matters, the number of masters was drastically insufficient. Masters weren't something that could be raised overnight. Especially absolute masters who'd reached Myeong-gyeong's level were like gifts from heaven.

Therefore he felt regretful yet envious. Regretful that Zhongnan lacked such masters, and envious that Mount Hua Sect possessed such masters. Too great a gap had formed in an instant.

"Still, someday we'll catch up. Though it can't be helped right now, if we safely pass this tribulation, we'll possess strength not inferior to Mount Hua Sect. Because Zhongnan Sect certainly has such potential."

Go Il-won resolved to definitely achieve Zhongnan Sect's revival, following behind Taoist Hyeon-so.

Taoist Hyeon-so descended Mount Hua heading north. Toward a small mountain existing north of Mount Hua. Therefore toward the place called Lesser Mount Hua.

As Lesser Mount Hua approached, excitement appeared not only on Go Il-won's face but also Taoist Hyeon-so and Myeong-gyeong's faces. Because it had been quite a long time since they'd entered Lesser Mount Hua.

"Stop."

"Identify yourselves."

The moment they entered Lesser Mount Hua's entrance, sharp voices immediately were heard. Then Myeong-gyeong stepped forward speaking.

"I am Myeong-gyeong of Mount Hua."

"Ah! Great Hero Myeong-gyeong. Please come in."

A group appeared from left and right of the bushes.

Young martial artists with sharp aura, cold gazes, and refined energy. Their eyes uniformly contained eerie killing intent.

"How did you come without even giving notice?"

"My senior-uncle and Sect Leader Go of Zhongnan Sect, a Great Hero, said they wanted to see this place, so I brought them."

"Then?"

"Our sect's Taoist Hyeon-so and Zhongnan Sect's Great Hero Go Il-won."

At Myeong-gyeong's introduction, the young martial artists hurriedly saluted them.

"Jangsan Sect's Ha Hu-myeong greets Taoist Hyeon-so and Great Hero Go."

"Seol Hyeong Gate's Yi Cheom-ui greets the two Great Heroes."

"Great Moon Sword Gate's Yu Geum-hyeong pays respects."

They were uniformly all disciples of sects trampled by the Demon Cult. Taoist Hyeon-so spoke to them.

"Everyone has worked hard. Is there anything inconvenient?"

"Thanks to Mount Hua Sect, everything is abundant. We'll never forget this grace."

At Ha Hu-myeong's solemn words, Taoist Hyeon-so made a troubled expression.

"It's naturally what should be done, so there's no grace. Aren't we all fellow martial world companions?"

"Words are easy but not something anyone can do."

"Well…"

At Ha Hu-myeong's inflexible attitude, Taoist Hyeon-so made a troubled expression. But Ha Hu-myeong paid no mind continuing to speak.

"I'll escort you inside. Everyone will be glad."

He led the way without even listening to Taoist Hyeon-so's words.

Taoist Hyeon-so and others quietly followed such Ha Hu-myeong. Following Ha Hu-myeong climbing Lesser Mount Hua for a while, an unbelievable scene appeared.

On a wide clearing created by carving the mountain, countless barracks and huts stood densely packed.

"This is?"

Go Il-won's pupils shook.

Befitting Zhongnan Sect's Sect Leader, he was knowledgeable about Shaanxi Province's geography. Lesser Mount Hua was famous for being precipitous. Such clearings where numerous people could stay didn't exist. That meant precisely that those here had carved the mountain creating flatland. A truly tremendous undertaking.

There wasn't just one clearing. Several large clearings of similar scale existed nearby. In the clearings, young martial artists gathered in small groups taking rest.

Though he didn't know what happened, large and small wounds filled their entire bodies, and fatigue clearly showed on their faces. But only their eyes vividly shone alive.

Each person radiated aura like well-sharpened blade edges. Their aura surpassed the young masters Go Il-won had devoted heart and soul to raising in recent years.

"How?"

Go Il-won made an unbelieving expression.

The young martial artists here were those who'd escaped when Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance fell last year. When they had nowhere to go in the world, they'd entered Lesser Mount Hua near Mount Hua Sect.

The one who led them into Lesser Mount Hua was precisely Cho Yeon-woon. Because it was also where he'd secluded himself when his legs were cruelly severed and he wandered, and also an advantageous place where he could receive Mount Hua Sect's support.

Go Il-won had also heard the story that young martial artists had settled at Lesser Mount Hua, but was too busy rebuilding Zhongnan Sect to pay attention. No, deliberately not paying attention was correct. Because of thoughts that they were merely defeated soldiers anyway, so was there need to support them? But never in his dreams did he imagine they'd developed to this degree.

Gulp!

Go Il-won unknowingly swallowed dry saliva.

"What on earth happened here?"

Though he didn't know what the actual martial power of the young martial artists taking rest was, just from the aura and gazes outwardly expressed, they'd already surpassed ordinary. Go Il-won was dying to know the reason.

Then Ha Hu-myeong's voice was heard.

"From now on you must be especially careful. If careless, mechanisms and barrier formations might activate, so only step where I step and follow."

"Mechanisms?"

"All of Lesser Mount Hua is covered with death mechanisms and barrier formations."

"What does that mean?"

Light of shock appeared on Go Il-won's face. Because Ha Hu-myeong's words were hard to believe easily. Then Myeong-gyeong explained instead.

"His words are true. They've created death mechanisms here and daily drive themselves into life-threatening crises."

"Such nonsense… How does that make sense logically?"

"Survivors from Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance spared nothing offering their sect secrets, barrier formations, and mechanism secrets. They wove them together creating one training hall."

The name was Iron Blood Hell Training Hall.

That's what they called the death barrier formations and mechanisms spread throughout Lesser Mount Hua.

The one who first suggested it was a young martial artist. He thought more systematic and harsh training methods were needed. He gathered various people's opinions installing mechanisms and barrier formations needed for training throughout Lesser Mount Hua.

The beginning was modest. But with repeated improvements and brainstorming together, it gradually became more sophisticated. When each sect's secrets were added, a hellish training hall was born.

Martial artists gathered at Lesser Mount Hua hated more than death for checkpoints with their sect secrets added to be broken through by other sects' martial artists. Because of that, checkpoints inevitably became more vicious, and dangerous enough that passing even risking life wasn't easy.

Martial artists challenged the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall daily. But those who passed were only an extremely small portion, and even they routinely sustained serious wounds.

When someone passed a checkpoint, leadership immediately supplemented the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall's insufficient points. Then martial artists challenging next sought ways to pass with utmost effort, and leadership again supplemented weaknesses. Through such virtuous cycles, the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall gradually completed as an impregnable fortress.

Martial artists gathered at Lesser Mount Hua were growing rapidly while challenging the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall.

"You mean after creating hellish checkpoints, they train risking their lives?"

"That's right."

"Hmm!"

"What leadership does is simple. Somehow prevent them from passing the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall. And what martial artists do is somehow find ways to pass the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall."

Go Il-won made an expression of being completely dumbfounded at Myeong-gyeong's explanation.

He'd never once heard of such training methods. Methods he couldn't dare imagine at Zhongnan Sect. But after hearing the explanation, he understood why their martial prowess had dramatically risen in a short time.

"Perhaps even Mount Hua Sect disciples?"

"Yes! They regularly come here challenging the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall."

"Hmm!"

At Myeong-gyeong's answer, Go Il-won unknowingly let out a groaning sound.

Because suddenly regretful thoughts arose.

"If I'd known this fact sooner, I'd have sent our sect's disciples here too for training."

He thought that would have greatly shortened the time for disciples to become strong. But now sending disciples here wasn't permitted by his pride.

Though he'd decided to cooperate with Mount Hua Sect, Zhongnan Sect had long competed with Mount Hua Sect. Therefore readily bringing up words to use this place first wasn't easy.

Because Myeong-gyeong guessed Go Il-won's heart, he raised the suggestion first.

"How about Zhongnan Sect's disciples also try challenging here once?"

"Our sect's disciples?"

"That's right."

"However…"

"With Zhongnan Sect's potential, they'll sufficiently be able to pass the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall. Then it'll be great stimulus for others too."

"If you say so, I'll try sending our sect's disciples here too."

When Myeong-gyeong laid the groundwork, Go Il-won answered with a smile.

Taoist Hyeon-so smiled warmly watching such Myeong-gyeong.

During the past few years, Myeong-gyeong had grown much. Not simply martial arts growth, but also matured character-wise and thought deepened enough to think broadly.

Previously he'd have viewed Zhongnan Sect as competition and kept them in check, but now was the time when all the martial world must unite forces. Zhongnan Sect growing strong was good for Mount Hua Sect and for the martial world.

"Good."

Taoist Hyeon-so nodded moving steps.

A gentle breeze blew caressing Taoist Hyeon-so's body. Spring energy was clearly felt.

He savored, felt, and conversed with the wind.

Go Il-won felt a refreshing fragrance flowed from such Taoist Hyeon-so.

"Perhaps this is the immortal energy those who've attained the Dao are said to emit."

Admiration dwelt in Go Il-won's eyes looking at Taoist Hyeon-so.

Whether his guess was true or mistaken, anyway just smelling such immortal fragrance made Taoist Hyeon-so worth sufficient respect.

That was when.

"This is it."

Ha Hu-myeong's steps stopped. Where he stopped was atop a small peak overlooking the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall.

At the summit, a large barracks was installed, and over ten martial artists were looking down at the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall.

They uniformly radiated eerie aura. Enough that Go Il-won flinched the moment he saw them. But they were actually so focused on the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall they didn't notice Taoist Hyeon-so had come at all.

Ha Hu-myeong told them.

"Mount Hua Sect's Taoist Hyeon-so and Taoist Un-gyeong, plus Zhongnan Sect's Sect Leader Great Hero Go Il-won have come."

"Ah!"

Only then did they notice Taoist Hyeon-so and others had come, acknowledging them.

"You've come?"

"How without even notice."

The murderous aura from just before disappeared without trace, approaching with smiling faces. At the forefront was a man radiating exceptional aura.

Though his build wasn't large, he was a man with a heavy atmosphere like mountains. His gaze was deep like a lake, and his tightly pressed lips seemed to contain stubbornness intact. But the moment he confirmed Taoist Hyeon-so and Myeong-gyeong, he approached smiling broadly.

"Haha! How did you come without even contact?"

"Can I trouble someone doing great work? Great Hero Go just said he wanted to see this place, so I tagged along."

"Where is this someone else's neighborhood? Coming to Mount Hua's inner courtyard, yet Taoist shows consideration."

"What a person. That brazenness is unchanged."

"Haha!"

At Taoist Hyeon-so's casual words, the man burst into hearty laughter. Then Myeong-gyeong spoke smiling.

"Brother Yeon-woon, I came too."

"Right! Welcome. You've changed aura again already."

"Those are my words. Brother seems to have gained new insights again."

"Just learned small tricks."

"Those tricks defeat me daily."

Myeong-gyeong smiled bitterly.

The man conversing happily with him was named Cho Yeon-woon.

If someone who knew Cho Yeon-woon saw him after a long time, they absolutely couldn't recognize him, so much had Cho Yeon-woon changed.

Though appearance hadn't changed greatly, the atmosphere and gaze he emanated richly exuded a battle-hardened veteran's aura.

Now he was no longer a rising junior of the martial world. Martial artists here at Lesser Mount Hua called him "Alliance Leader." Though Cho Yeon-woon said he disliked it, martial artists paid no mind calling him so.

Cho Yeon-woon's devotion and martial power shown in the great escape two years ago drew martial artists' true respect, and from then martial artists called Cho Yeon-woon Alliance Leader following him.

It wasn't a title forced by anyone. Because it was a title called from deeply welling respect, even Cho Yeon-woon couldn't reject it entirely.

Myeong-gyeong's gaze suddenly went toward a large flag fluttering behind Cho Yeon-woon. On the flag, three characters reading Blue Sky Alliance were clearly embroidered with gold thread.

Now the Martial Alliance had disappeared from the world. And a new organization called Blue Sky Alliance was emerging.

The Blue Sky Alliance's first Alliance Leader was Azure Dragon Divine Hero Cho Yeon-woon.

Did the saying go that position makes the person? Now Cho Yeon-woon was showing dignity befitting Blue Sky Alliance's Alliance Leader.

Taoist Hyeon-so watched such Cho Yeon-woon with an admiring expression, then suddenly asked.

"By the way, Ho?"

"Still there."

"Hmm!"

"Really such bad taste."

Boom!

That moment, an explosion burst from beneath the earth.

"Kreuk!"

"Uwek!"

Consecutively, someone's desperate screams flowed out.

"Again?"

A sigh naturally flowed from Cho Yeon-woon's mouth.

Shaolin Temple advanced relentlessly.

Most sects suffered without even knowing why they had to become Shaolin Temple’s sacrifices.

Sects well-informed about rumors sought ways to survive and attached themselves to the Baek Li Family. Small sects sent five hundred taels, and mid-level sects sent a thousand taels to the Baek Li Family and joined the Righteous Alliance.

In return, the Baek Li Family gave large flags inscribed with the character ‘Chivalry,’ and if they hung these flags at their main gates, they could avoid Shaolin Temple’s righteous practices.

Some protested to Shaolin Temple about this utterly bewildering treatment.

What connection is there between righteous practices following Buddha’s will and sending money to the Baek Li Family!

If we’re being strict about it, shouldn’t the Baek Li Family and the Righteous Alliance be the first targets of righteous practices!

However, the protests were completely ignored. No matter how famous the celebrities or renowned experts in the martial world, it didn’t matter. Sects without flags hanging were without fail trampled by Shaolin Temple.

Everyone trembled. To survive, to avoid the humiliation of having the family head shaved and dragged to Shaolin Temple, to continue the family lineage, they had no choice but to attach to the Righteous Alliance.

***

“Ten sects from Shanxi and Shaanxi have newly requested help. These are the promissory notes they sent.”

Baek Li-jung skimmed through the ledgers and promissory notes the new strategist had calculated. Every detail was meticulously recorded without a single penny of error.

“You work well.”

“Thank you.”

The newly arrived strategist in his thirties was the former clerk of Tai Lake Trading Company that the Baek Li Family dealt with. For being recruited through the trading company’s recommendation, he was young and worked well, which was satisfying.

The new strategist Mun-su spread out the ledgers and explained.

“The received promissory notes were sent to the Baek Li Family along with the trading company’s loans. The reconstruction of the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters seems to be proceeding without issues. The construction is smooth and the deployment of laborers is appropriate.”

Baek Li-jung looked at Mun-su rather than the ledgers. He swept over Mun-su with a heavy gaze.

“You’re polite, your calculations are accurate, and your speech is clear. The predecessor was also a friend I liked because we got along well, but I like Strategist Mun too. Do you know about the predecessor by any chance?”

Mun-su bowed with his hands in sleeves like a merchant.

“I haven’t met him, but I’ve heard the story. It’s unfortunate.”

“I promised him a glorious future, but ultimately couldn’t fulfill it. Now that Strategist Mun has replaced him, I’ll give you his share as well.”

Mun-su bent his waist and bowed again.

“I’ll serve you with my utmost.”

“Just keep doing as you are now. For people to work long, there must be appropriate rewards.”

Baek Li-jung closed the ledger as if there was nothing more to see.

“Shanxi and Shaanxi have no problems, but there’s no news at all from Huguang.”

“In Huguang, Wudang Sect and the Zhuge Family are holding out, so they seem to be watching until Shaolin Temple enters. I’ll devise a method.”

“For now, let’s watch the situation.”

Mun-su bowed and left carrying the ledgers.

Baek Li-jung quietly watched Mun-su’s back. A twisted smile drew across Baek Li-jung’s lips.

“Great Buddha, you’re more foolish than I thought.”

The greatest anxiety in Shaolin Temple’s righteous practices was the rear. Unless they annihilated all sects as they passed, if several sects raised flags in rebellion, Shaolin Temple would be struck from behind.

Therefore, Baek Li-jung gathering the surrendered sects had great significance for Shaolin Temple too. If sects raising rebellion appeared, even without Baek Li-jung moving directly, they could suppress the rebellion using those who surrendered, making Shaolin Temple’s rear relatively safer.

However.

That was also tantamount to Baek Li-jung gripping the handle of a blade held to Shaolin Temple’s neck.

Throb!

Suddenly, bright blue veins protruded on Baek Li-jung’s face.

Unbearable hunger surged.

Baek Li-jung said while sweating profusely.

“Endure it. I’ll give you delicious prey soon.”

The veins wriggled as if alive then disappeared.

He had accepted the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit and achieved Super Demon. However, to surpass complete demon and become Transcendent Demon was still insufficient.

How shocked he had been when he felt Jin Ja-gang’s internal energy at the Min River!

That time when despite internal energy explosively increasing through Taoist Haewol, that internal energy didn’t move at all and became quiet and hid!

Baek Li-jung had to swallow his shame and hide his body in a drifting wrecked ship to flee.

After that, news that Jin Ja-gang had even crushed the Zoroastrian Cult Leader, the source of the Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Arts, sent shivers through him.

If he had risen to that realm, at the Super Demon stage he absolutely couldn’t defeat Jin Ja-gang. To beat Jin Ja-gang, he must ascend to Transcendent Demon, and the next sacrifice for Transcendent Demon was needed.

***

Great Buddha Beom-bon, after joining hands with Baek Li-jung, turned back some of the forces sent to other directions and first advanced to Shandong, the eastern end.

In Shandong was Dan Ryeong-gyeong, the Evil Faction’s Grand Matriarch.

However, Beom-bon couldn’t meet Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had left her hiding place after leaving a poem for Beom-bon.

An arhat monk brought the poem that had been stuck to the wall of Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s room to Beom-bon with a completely stiff face.

Mountains and clouds far away
In dreams I was only held in my beloved’s embrace
But now at dawn my beloved comes
Until the paulownia leaves in the courtyard fall
For a long time, without missing a moment, we’ll share the affections of clouds and rain.

It was a poem about the mutual affection between man and woman. She left a poem that would make even ordinary people blush prominently before the monks and departed.

It was mockery of Shaolin Temple.

Even when the arhat monks searched every corner of the house, all that came out was only this one poem. The arhat monks’ faces turned red with indignation.

However, Beom-bon looked at the poem for a long while then shed a single tear.

The arhat monks looked at Beom-bon in surprise.

“Ah, what a beautiful heart this is. The longing and sorrowful heart toward her beloved is like our single-minded devotion toward Buddha.”

Beom-bon wiped away his tears and rubbed the paper with the poem in his hands. Fire rose and burned the paper, and ashes fell.

Beom-bon spoke toward the arhat monks.

“Buddha endured all temptations under the bodhi tree and attained Buddhahood. If we cannot endure this much, how can we guide the world to paradise?”

The arhat monks immediately put their palms together and chanted the Buddha’s name.

“Namo Amitabha…”

Waiting for the chants to end, Beom-bon said.

“I’ve received Fairy Maiden’s poem well. I should compose a reply.”

His thin eyes opened slightly. Unlike the gentle smile he wore, an eerie gaze flowed out.

“Shandong has fallen into corruption. We will no longer accept Buddhist disciples from Shandong. Except for sects protected under the chivalry flag, sweep them all away. Break and shatter them, purify the filth with the merciless punishment of the Vajra. Show the solemnity of the Buddhist way.”

The arhat monks’ eyes also shone together.

“Great compassion and conversion! Governing precepts, governing meditation, governing sentient beings’ realm, Namo Amitabha Guanyin Bodhisattva. We shall achieve perfect enlightenment through the fruit of three virtues!”

Beom-bon looked at the arhat monks with a pleased expression.

Then muttered.

“Now then, Benefactor Baek Li. There are many experts in Huguang. Please quickly achieve Transcendent Demon and lighten my burden.”

***

While the martial world was covered in chaos and Shaolin Temple focused strength on the east, at the Namgung Family too, Namgung Rak finally moved.

The head of the Namgung Family tried to stop Namgung Rak.

“Father. The martial world is in great chaos. Leaving now doesn’t look good in others’ eyes either.”

Mount Hua Sect also suffered great damage from rebellion within the sect.

To others it looked as if they were trying to strike Mount Hua Sect taking advantage of the opportunity.

However, Namgung Rak didn’t bend his will.

“Just because the one who humiliated our family is in a pitiful situation, should we let it go? We are the victims, yet should the victim receive more criticism than the perpetrator? If they touched the main family, they should have known there would be today’s result. The one who attacked without thinking of their own situation is simply at fault. The eyes of Alliance have no meaning to me now.”

The head of the Namgung Family bowed his head.

“Father is right.”

He didn’t try to stop him to actually stop him. He showed the appearance of trying to stop him once to eliminate any later gossip.

Namgung Rak, who understood that intent, didn’t say more.

“Let’s go.”

Namgung Rak led the younger generation and left the manor.

Rumors spread that the Namgung Family’s Sword King Namgung Rak was heading to Mount Hua Sect leading the younger generation.

Ostensibly, to directly clarify whether the Namgung Family and the Zoroastrian Cult were related.

Though it had already become meaningless since the new Zoroastrian Cult Leader, Demon Emperor, had died, Namgung Rak didn’t care.

Of course, both Namgung Rak and Mount Hua Sect knew that clarification wouldn’t end as mere clarification.

After Namgung Rak explained he was innocent, Mount Hua Sect would have to pay the price for pressuring an innocent family.

A situation where neither side intended to back down anyway.

From Mount Hua Sect too, North Li Sword Immortal, one of the Three Ways and the sect leader, led disciples and left Mount Hua.

Mount Hua Sect also suffered tremendous damage from internal rebellion. However, with Sword King Namgung Rak openly coming to confront them head-on, they couldn’t avoid it.

Giant sects supporting the pillars of the martial world have that much pride and honor to uphold.

North Li Sword Immortal and Namgung Rak naturally encountered each other in Huguang, the middle ground.

All eyes in the martial world focused on their meeting.

Many sects were in turmoil with betrayal and treachery, fighting other sects over interests.

Nevertheless, everyone’s eyes and ears concentrated on the clash between Mount Hua Sect and the Namgung Family.

The Sword Immortal of the Three Ways, or the Sword King of the Two Kings!

It couldn’t be anything but an event sufficient to excite martial artists who had been momentarily distracted by all kinds of chaos. Trivial gains or interests couldn’t compare to great heroes’ confrontations.

Wasn’t it an event where the dragon and tiger that had been sleeping while supporting a pillar of the martial world for long years were clashing?

Not an ambush or despicable scheme but a head-on confrontation.

It was something that made the blood inherent in martial artists’ nature boil.

The martial world was more inflated than ever before.

It was a time when Shaolin Temple conducted righteous practices and completely pushed eastward, and the Righteous Alliance newly emerged.

Northern Heaven and the Zoroastrian Cult had collapsed and the Poison Dragon rose in Sichuan.

Unlike when the Martial Arts Alliance expelled Northern Heaven and the Zoroastrian Cult as heretics and all hierarchies solidified firmly with no room for new stories to emerge.

There were abundant stories for gossips to exchange.

Even villains emerged who seized the opportunity to steal or rob. As villains emerged, naturally new experts who fought them appeared, and their stories began to spread too.

New things happened every day.

Everyone they met was excited and blossomed with stories of the martial world.

Perhaps, though the martial world was festering in the worst state, in another sense it also seemed to be experiencing maximum prosperity.