Mujin, yang tercengang melihat seni bela diri aneh Mu-yul, tak bisa menahan satu pikiran melintas di benaknya.
"Paman Guru Hye-geol, sebenarnya apa yang telah Anda ciptakan?"
Dia pernah menyebutkan bahwa dia akan menciptakan teknik Tinju Naga yang cocok untuk Mu-yul di Nanzhao, tapi siapa sangka dia akan menghasilkan sesuatu yang aneh seperti Naga Aneh?
Namun, andai Hye-geol bisa membaca pikiran Mujin, dia pasti akan melompat memprotes ketidakadilan semuanya.
Dan Hye-geol yang merasa dizalimi itu saat itu sedang...
"Whuu."
Setelah успокоив головокружение от «покачивания слона», Hye-geol sekarang dengan tenang mengamati medan perang dengan mata terfokus.
Seperti itulah serangan terkoordinasi biasanya bekerja. Jika seseorang berusaha membantu dengan canggung, mereka sering justru menghambat gerakan sekutu mereka, menyebabkan hasil terburuk.
Karena itu, Hye-geol lebih dulu mengamati serangan terkoordinasi oleh Kuarter Muja, yang bekerja sama dengan baik.
Mujin dengan gigih menempel pada Cheon-ju, menggunakan tekniknya Ho-shin Gang-gi, sementara Mujin mengalihkan perhatian Cheon-ju, Mu-yul memancing Cheon-ju dengan gerakannya yang aneh, membuatnya semakin kesal.
Sementara itu, Mu-gung dan Mu-gyeong memberikan dukungan sempurna, menciptakan kombinasi seimbang terhadap Cheon-ju.
"Sekarang!"
Dari pinggir lapangan, Hye-geol, yang telah mengamati pertempuran, melihat kesempatan untuk ikut campur.
Tanpa ragu, Hye-geol melepaskan esensi seni bela diri yang telah dikuasainya di Nanzhao.
Perjalanan ke Nanzhao demi Mu-yul...
Selama perjalanan itu, Hye-geol menemukan berbagai hewan, mengamati gerakan mereka dan mempelajari mereka dengan saksama.
Sebagai hasilnya, dia berhasil menguraikan benang kusut dari Tinju Naga.
"Pertama-tama, bangau, ular, macan tutul, dan harimau hanya mewakili sifat-sifat utama hewan."
Tidak perlu meniru ratusan atau ribuan hewan untuk menguasai Tinju Naga.
Meskipun ada perbedaan halus di antara semua hewan, pada akhirnya semuanya bisa disederhanakan menjadi beberapa sifat kunci.
Gerakan santai dan lembut seekor bangau, gerakan diam-diam namun fleksibel seekor ular, kelincahan macan tutul, dan keberanian harimau.
Dan Tinju Naga adalah seni bela diri yang memanfaatkan sifat-sifat ini secara bersamaan.
Mengikuti rumus mnemonik Tinju Naga, yang sebelumnya hanya dia pelajari dan hafalkan, Hye-geol mengalirkan sejumlah besar energi internal melalui tubuhnya.
Tapi ini bukan sekadar masalah energi internal mengalir melalui meridian.
Kadang-kadang, energi itu mengalir seperti gerakan bangau, kadang seperti ular.
Lalu, di lain waktu, energi itu menerjang melalui meridiannya dengan ketegasan seekor macan tutul, dan di lain waktu, energi itu melonjak gegabah, hampir sampai berisiko melukai organ dalam, dengan keganasan seekor harimau.
Saat energi internal mengalir melalui meridiannya dengan berbagai cara, mencerminkan karakteristik keempat hewan, akhirnya energiesa terkumpul di kepalan Hye-geol.
"Hyaap!!"
Dengan teriakan penuh semangat, energi keemasan khas Shaolin terakumulasi di kepalan Hye-geol, membentuk konstelasi masif.
Dan saat Hye-geol melancarkan tinjunya...
Kwoooaaah!
Konstelasi masif yang dibentuk menjadi sebuah bentuk meluncur menuju Cheon-ju.
"!!!"
Energi dahsyat, yang mengambil bentuk Naga Kuning, terbang menuju Cheon-ju dengan rahangnya terbuka lebar, seolah-olah berniat menelannya bulat-bulat.
"Wow..."
Incluso Mujin, yang sedang bertarung, tak bisa menahan desahan pelan kagum melihat teknik mencolok itu.
"Kenapa kamu bisa melakukan itu sementara Mu-yul tidak...?"
Bukan erangan kekaguman, melainkan ragu.
Namun, tidak ada waktu untuk memikirkan halangan kecil seperti itu.
"Apakah kau pikir Imoogi [naga tidak sempurna] bisa menyakitiku?"
Meskipun dengan serangan naga yang memukau itu, Cheon-ju merespons dengan ekspresi jengkel, dan menangkis dengan tinju lurus.
Buuum!!!
Dengan suara mengaum yang memekakkan telinga, taring Naga Kuning, yang bertabrakan dengan tinju Cheon-ju, hancur berkeping-keping.
Retakan yang dimulai dari taring dengan cepat menyebar ke seluruh tubuh naga, dan Naga Kuning, yang terbuat dari energi internal, dengan cepat kembali ke pelukan alam.
Meskipun Naga Kuning menghilang dalam sekejap, mungkin karena keagungan singkat yang ditampilkannya, Mu-yul, yang telah mundur selangkah, berseru excited sambil mengambil sikap tinju.
"Aku juga ingin mencobanya, Sa-jo-nim!"
Seperti yang dilakukan Hye-geol, energi internal Mu-yul mengalir dari dantiannya, melewati tubuhnya.
"Hmm? Apakah begini?"
Namun, tidak mungkin Mu-yul bisa menghafal semua rumus mnemonik Tinju Naga yang rumit dan panjang.
"Ya! Ini sepertinya benar!"
Jadi Mu-yul sekadar mengimprovisasi, mengalirkan energinya sesuai intuisi.
Tapi tidak sepenuhnya meleset.
Berkat pengajaran hafalan Hye-geol, aliran dasarnya sebagian besar benar.
Perbedaannya adalah...
"Hehe, aku harus meniru Bibi di sini, kan?"
Alih-alih energi mengalir seperti ular, Mu-yul membuatnya mengalir dengan berat, seperti gajah.
"Akan lebih baik jika Ling-ling ada di sini juga, kan?"
Saat harus seekor macan tutul, dia berpikir tentang Ling-ling dan mengalirkan energinya.
Saat dia selesai menyalurkan energinya, memikirkan hewan-hewan yang sama sekali tidak terkait dengan Teknik Tinju Naga asli...
"Yaaah!!"
Seperti Hye-geol, Mu-yul mengumpulkan seluruh energinya ke tinju dan melancarkan serangan.
Screeeeeeech!!
Dari tangan Mu-yul, seekor naga muncul dan menyerbu menuju Cheon-ju.
Tidak seperti naga keemasan megah Hye-geol, naga ini bengkok, seolah digambar oleh tangan anak kecil yang ceroboh.
Itu adalah kejadian yang aneh.
Bukan hanya bentuk naga yang aneh, tetapi fakta bahwa itu mungkin dilakukan更是 aneh.
Bagaimanapun, mengalirkan energi internal secara gegabah melawan prinsip Seni Bela Diri Pengkatan adalah setara dengan mengundang Deviasi Qi, tindakan bunuh diri.
Alasan aksi gila ini memungkinkan adalah karena Mu-yul, sejak awal, sering meniru gerakan berbagai hewan, sering menggunakan metode aneh untuk menyalurkan energinya.
Tubuhnya telah sedikit beradaptasi dengan manipulasi energi aneh ini.
Ini mirip dengan bagaimana anggota Keluarga Tang membangun imunitas dengan mengonsumsi sedikit racun dari waktu ke waktu.
Lebih lanjut, meskipun tidak sebanyak Mujin, Mu-yul telah konsisten melatih energinya yang eksternal, yang telah mengeraskan tubuhnya cukup untuk menahan beberapa tekanan.
"Hmm..."
Saat dia mengamati naga keemasan bengkok yang dibuat Mu-yul, Hye-geol tidak bisa menahan erangan pelan.
Bukan karena dia tidak mengharapkan Mu-yul menggunakan Teknik Tinju Naga Aneh.
Dia telah melihatnya berhasil beberapa kali bahkan di Nanzhao.
Hye-geol terkejut karena alasan berbeda.
"Bagaimana mungkin naga itu terlihat berbeda setiap kali aku melihatnya?"
Mampu melancarkan Teknik Tinju Naga dengan berbeda setiap kali memang bisa dianggap sebagai bakat.
Dan saat Mu-yul, yang baru saja membuat naga baru lagi, berbicara kepada Hye-geol dengan ekspresi kesakitan.
"Sa-jo-nim, perutku terasa mual."
Darah sedikit menodai sudut mulut Mu-yul saat dia berbicara.
Terlihat bahwa tidak peduli seberapa ahli Mu-yul meniru hewan, menggunakan Teknik Tinju Naga Aneh selalu menyebabkan cedera internal.
* * *
Sementara Kuarter Muja, Hye-geol, dan Ling-ling bertarung melawan Cheon-ju, dengan Seratus Delapan Arhat mengepung mereka untuk keadaan darurat, aliran keseluruhan medan perang mulai berubah drastis.
Tidak, sepertinya hanya terlihat berubah drastis.
"Fwooouuuu!!"
Gajah mistis yang ditunggangi Mu-yul dan Hye-geol. Mu-yul menamakannya Bibi karena belalainya yang aneh, dan gajah itu mengamuk di medan perang, menginjak-injak para pejuang Shinchun dengan kaki besarnya yang berat atau melempar mereka ke langit dengan belalainya.
Di tengah-tengah ini, dia hanya menyerang mereka yang dianggap musuh, tidak pernah menyentu h pasukan Asosiasi Langit Selatan yang menemani mereka, membuktikan bahwa gajah itu memang layak disebut makhluk mistis.
Namun, yang membuat dampak bahkan lebih besar dari Bibi adalah Pae Jin-seong dan Dao Yuetian.
Dengan setiap kilatan tombak dan pedang mereka, para pejuang Shinchun yang menghalangi jalan mereka jatuh satu per satu.
Namun Pae Jin-seong, yang telah bertahun-tahun menjadi pemimpin Guryongbang, faksi powerful yang pernah dikenal sebagai salah satu dari Tujuh Jahat, dan telah bertarung di无数 pertempuran, mengetahui kebenarannya.
'Mereka ini hanya sekumpulan orang tidak berarti.'
Yang mereka potong bukanlah sosok signifikan di medan perang ini.
Insting Pae Jin-seong benar.
Yang menghalangi Asosiasi Langit Selatan hanyalah kekuatan sekali pakai di mata Shinchun—pejuang dari sekte dan klan kecil yang ditundukkan dengan memberi mereka racun atau menyandera keluarga mereka selama penaklukan Shinchun di bagian timur Dataran Tengah.
Meskipun mereka mungkin dianggap terampil di wilayah masing-masing, mereka tidak bisa menyaingi elit Asosiasi Langit Selatan, apalagi Dao Yuetian atau Pae Jin-seong.
Karena itu, Pae Jin-seong berkonsentrasi pada indera Qi-nya dan membaca aliran medan perang.
Para master kunci musuh. Di antara mereka, dia mencari mereka yang mengarahkan pertempuran mendukung Shinchun.
Hal pertama yang merangsang indera Qi Pae Jin-seong adalah, sudah pasti, pertarungan antara Cheon-ju dan Shaolin.
Pertarungan itu berada di level yang benar-benar bisa menggoyahkan langit dan bumi; jika pertarungan itu berakhir lebih awal, pemenang bisa menentukan hasil seluruh pertempuran.
Namun, Pae Jin-seong menghapus opsi menawarkan dukungan ke arah itu.
Dia belum pernah bertarung berdampingan dengan Shaolin sebelumnya.
Dia tahu bahwa bergerak membantu ke sana hanya akan membuat mereka saling menghambat.
Karena alasan yang sama, Pae Jin-seong juga mengesampingkan pertarungan antara Wudang dan Ji-ju dari opsinya.
Selanjutnya, indera Qi-nya tertarik pada pria yang pernah menjadi atasannya di Sa-doryeon. Itu adalah Hyeok Jin
Chapter 360n
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Strange Dragonn
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Mu-jin, astonished by Mu-yul's bizarre martial arts, couldn't help but have a thought cross his mind.n
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"Master Uncle Hye-geol, what exactly have you created?"n
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He had mentioned that he would create a Dragon Fist technique suitable for Mu-yul in Nanzhao, but who would have thought he'd produce something as strange as the Strange Dragon?n
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However, if Hye-geol could have read Mu-jin's thoughts, he would have jumped up in protest at the unfairness of it all.n
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And the wronged Hye-geol was currently…n
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"Whoo."n
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Having calmed his dizziness from the "elephant's sway," Hye-geol was now calmly observing the battlefield with focused eyes.n
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That's how coordinated attacks usually work. If someone tries to clumsily assist, they often end up hindering their ally's movement, leading to the worst possible outcome.n
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Thus, Hye-geol first observed the coordinated attack by the Muja Quartet, who worked well together.n
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Mu-jin tenaciously clung to Cheon-ju, using his Ho-shin Gang-gi technique, while Mu-jin distracted Cheon-ju, Mu-yul provoked Cheon-ju with his odd movements, further annoying him.n
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Meanwhile, Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong provided perfect support, creating a well-balanced combination against Cheon-ju.n
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"Now!"n
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From the sidelines, Hye-geol, who had been watching the battle, saw an opportunity for him to intervene.n
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Without hesitation, Hye-geol unleashed the essence of the martial arts he had mastered in Nanzhao.n
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The journey to Nanzhao for Mu-yul's sake…n
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During that journey, Hye-geol encountered various animals, observing their movements and studying them closely.n
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As a result, he was able to unravel the tangled thread of the Dragon Fist.n
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"In the first place, the crane, snake, leopard, and tiger only represent the quintessential traits of animals."n
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There was no need to imitate hundreds or thousands of animals to master the Dragon Fist.n
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Though there are subtle differences among all animals, in the grand scheme of things, they could be narrowed down to a few key traits.n
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The relaxed and gentle movements of a crane, the stealthy yet flexible motions of a snake, the agility of a leopard, and the bravery of a tiger.n
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And the Dragon Fist was a martial art that utilized these traits simultaneously.n
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Following the mnemonic formulas of the Dragon Fist, which he had previously only studied and memorized, Hye-geol channeled a massive amount of internal energy through his body.n
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But it wasn't simply a matter of internal energy flowing through his meridians.n
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At times, it flowed like the movements of a crane, at other times like a snake.n
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Then, at times, it charged through his meridians with the boldness of a leopard, and at other times, it surged recklessly, almost to the point of risking internal injury, with the ferocity of a tiger.n
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As the internal energy coursed through his meridians in various ways, reflecting the characteristics of the four animals, it finally gathered in Hye-geol's fist.n
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"Hyaap!!"n
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With a vigorous shout, the golden energy, unique to Shaolin, accumulated in Hye-geol's fist, forming a massive constellation.n
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And the moment Hye-geol threw his punch…n
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Kwooooaah!n
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The massive constellation, shaped into a form, shot towards Cheon-ju.n
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"!!!"n
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The powerful energy, taking the shape of a Yellow Dragon, flew towards Cheon-ju with its jaws wide open, as if it intended to swallow him whole.n
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"Wow…"n
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Even Mu-jin, who was in the middle of the battle, couldn't help but let out a faint exclamation in awe of the stunning technique.n
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"Why can you do that while Mu-yul can't…?"n
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It wasn't a sigh of admiration, but rather one of doubt.n
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However, there was no time to dwell on such trivial thoughts.n
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"Do you think a mere Imoogi could harm me?"n
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Despite the dazzling dragon's assault, Cheon-ju responded with an irritated expression, countering with a straight punch.n
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Booom!!!n
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With a deafening roar, the fangs of the Yellow Dragon, which had collided with Cheon-ju's fist, shattered into pieces.n
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The cracks that started from the fangs quickly spread throughout the dragon's body, and the Yellow Dragon, made of internal energy, swiftly returned to the embrace of nature.n
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Although the Yellow Dragon vanished in an instant, perhaps due to the brief majesty it displayed, Mu-yul, who had retreated a step back, excitedly shouted as he took up a punching stance.n
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"I want to do it too, Sa-jo-nim!"n
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Just like Hye-geol had done, Mu-yul's internal energy flowed from his danjeon, coursing through his body.n
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"Hmm? Was it like this?"n
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However, there was no way Mu-yul could have memorized all the intricate and lengthy mnemonic formulas of the Dragon Fist.n
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"Yeah! This seems right!"n
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So Mu-yul simply improvised, channeling his energy as it came to him.n
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But it wasn't entirely off-track.n
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Thanks to Hye-geol's rote teaching, the basic flow was mostly correct.n
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The difference was...n
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"Hehe, I should mimic Bibi here, right?"n
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Instead of the energy flowing like a snake, Mu-yul made it flow heavily, like an elephant.n
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"It'd be great if Ling-ling were here too, right?"n
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When it was time to be as fierce as a tiger, he thought of Ling-ling and channeled his internal energy.n
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At the moment he finished channeling his energy, thinking of animals completely unrelated to the original Dragon Fist Technique...n
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"Yaaaah!!"n
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Just like Hye-geol, Mu-yul gathered all his energy into his fist and struck out.n
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Screeeeeeech!!n
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From Mu-yul's hand, a dragon emerged and charged toward Cheon-ju.n
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Unlike the splendid golden dragon of Hye-geol, this dragon was crooked, as if drawn by a child's clumsy hand.n
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It was an odd occurrence.n
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Not only was the shape of the dragon peculiar, but the fact that it was possible at all was even more bizarre.n
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After all, recklessly manipulating internal energy against the principles of Ascending Martial Arts was akin to inviting Qi Deviation, a suicidal act.n
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The reason this mad feat was possible was because Mu-yul had, from the beginning, often mimicked the movements of various animals, frequently using odd methods to channel his internal energy.n
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His body's meridians had somewhat adapted to these strange energy manipulations.n
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It was similar to how members of the Tang Clan would build immunity by consuming small amounts of poison over time.n
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Moreover, although not as much as Mu-jin, Mu-yul had consistently trained his external energy, which had strengthened his body enough to endure some of the strain.n
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"Hmm..."n
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As he watched the crooked golden dragon Mu-yul had created, Hye-geol couldn't help but let out a quiet hum.n
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It wasn't because he hadn't expected Mu-yul to use the Strange Dragon Fist Technique.n
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He had seen it succeed a few times even in Nanzhao.n
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Hye-geol was surprised for a different reason.n
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"How is it that the dragon looks different every time I see it?"n
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Being able to unleash the Dragon Fist Technique differently each time could indeed be considered a talent.n
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And as Mu-yul, who had just created yet another new dragon, spoke to Hye-geol with a pained expression.n
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"Sa-jo-nim, my stomach feels queasy."n
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Blood lightly stained the corners of Mu-yul's mouth as he spoke.n
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It seemed that no matter how much of an expert Mu-yul was at mimicking animals, using the Strange Dragon Fist Technique always caused internal injuries.n
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* * *n
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While the Muja Quartet, Hye-geol, and Ling-ling were fighting against Cheon-ju, with the One Hundred Eight Arhats encircling them in case of an emergency, the overall flow of the battlefield was shifting drastically.n
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No, it only appeared to be shifting drastically.n
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"Fwooouuuu!!"n
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The mystical elephant that Mu-yul and Hye-geol had ridden. Mu-yul had named it Bibi because of its peculiar nose, and it was rampaging across the battlefield, trampling the warriors of Shinchun with its massive, heavy legs or flinging them into the sky with its trunk.n
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In the midst of this, it only attacked those considered enemies, never touching the forces of the Southern Sky Association that had accompanied them, proving that the elephant was indeed worthy of being called a mystical creature.n
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However, what was making an even greater impact than Bibi were Pae Jin-seong and Dao Yuetian.n
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With every gleam of their spear and blade, the warriors of Shinchun who blocked their path fell one after another.n
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Yet Pae Jin-seong, who had spent many years as the leader of Guryongbang, a once-powerful faction known as one of the Seven Evils, and had fought in countless battles, knew the truth.n
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'These guys are just a bunch of nobodies.'n
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The ones they were cutting down were not significant in this battlefield.n
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Pae Jin-seong's instincts were correct.n
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The ones blocking the Southern Sky Association were merely disposable forces in the eyes of Shinchun—warriors from minor sects and clans that had been subdued by feeding them poison or holding their families hostage during Shinchun's conquest of the eastern part of Central Plains.n
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While they might have been considered skilled in their own regions, they were no match for the elites of the Southern Sky Association, let alone Dao Yuetian or Pae Jin-seong.n
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Thus, Pae Jin-seong concentrated on his Qi sense and read the flow of the battlefield.n
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The key masters of the enemy. Among them, he sought out those who were steering the battle in favor of Shinchun.n
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The first thing that stimulated Pae Jin-seong's Qi sense was, naturally, the fight between Cheon-ju and Shaolin.n
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That fight was of a level that could truly shake the heavens and the earth; if that battle were to end early, the victor could determine the outcome of the entire battle.n
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However, Pae Jin-seong erased the option of offering support in that direction.n
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He had never fought alongside Shaolin before.n
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He knew that moving to help over there would only lead to them getting in each other's way.n
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For the same reason, Pae Jin-seong also dismissed the fight between Wudang and Ji-ju from his options.n
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Next, his Qi sense was captured by the man who was once his superior in Sa-doryeon. It was Hyeok Jin-gang, fighting against the Namgung father and son.n
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"Hyeok Jin-gang is ours!!"n
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"Prepare to die!!"n
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Pae Jin-seong shook his head as he watched the Namgung father and son, who, neglecting to command their family's warriors, recklessly charged at Hyeok Jin-gang.n
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'Namgung hasn't changed at all.'n
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With that, only one choice remained.n
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"Brother! Target that old man!"n
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"Yes, Brother!"n
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Pae Jin-seong, who had informed Dao Yuetian of their target, channeled his internal energy and shouted for all the Southern Sky Association subordinates to hear.n
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"Southern Sky Association, follow me!!"n
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Clearing a path with his subordinates, Pae Jin-seong's target was none other than the old master who wielded the Pan-gwan-pil.n
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And that old man was currently the most threatening figure on the battlefield.n
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It wasn't due to his skill. Judging by skill alone, he seemed to be on par with Hyeok Jin-gang.n
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Of course, Pae Jin-seong had been defeated by Hyeok Jin-gang and had thus joined Sa-doryeon, but at least in this battle, there were two enemies clearly stronger than that old man.n
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Nonetheless, the reason this old man was the most dangerous was that, unlike Cheon-ju, Ji-ju, or Hyeok Jin-gang, there were no high-level masters or groups within Jeongmumaeng capable of opposing him.n
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Clang!n
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Indeed, as Pae Jin-seong expected, the closer he got to that old man, the stronger the martial artists blocking his path became.n
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Pae Jin-seong's eyes gleamed as he thrust his spear at the first opponent who managed to block his attack. But the opponent couldn't block his follow-up strike and was impaled in the abdomen, collapsing to the ground.n
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