Twisted Fate
Guizhou Province, Gozhang County.
Gozhang County was geographically close to Yuanling County, which had developed due to its geographical advantages, but unlike Yuanling County, Gozhang County had a rather relaxed atmosphere.
Of course, it was considered close only by continental standards. In reality, it was about 300 li away.
In this relaxed atmosphere of Gozhang County, Dao Yuetian’s sect and family, Cheon Seom Moon, were located.
Cheon Seom Moon’s estate was modest compared to a large family.
At the center of its grand training ground, Dao Yuetian was relentlessly wielding his blade.
“Huup!”
And it was only one technique he practiced.
The First Stroke of Cheon Seom Moon’s martial arts, which was on the verge of being inherited by the head of the family, was the Quick Spirit Flash. Dao Yuetian had already repeated this technique dozens of times.
But it wasn’t without any changes.
At first, Dao Yuetian performed the stroke slowly, observing his posture, muscles, and the flow of his internal energy, but gradually, he increased the speed.
Whoosh!
And after the hundredth time,
With the speed of light, his blade emitted a sharp energy, successfully slicing through a wooden target a distance away.
However, as if not satisfied with this, Dao Yuetian retrieved his blade and prepared to strike again.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“Wow!”
At that moment, Dao Yuetian’s concentration was broken by a sudden sound from the side. He knew exactly who it was.
“As expected of the young master.”
“It seems there will soon be no sect in Gozhang County that can rival our Cheon Seom Moon. Hahaha.”
Looking at the dozen or so disciples of Cheon Seom Moon approaching with pleased smiles, Dao Yuetian put on a sheepish expression.
“I still have a long way to go.”
“What do you mean? Even the head of the family said that you’ve already surpassed him in the Quick Spirit Flash technique.”
At the words of one disciple, the others nodded in agreement.
To the disciples of Cheon Seom Moon, Dao Yuetian was a very proud young master.
Born in this small village, he had reached the finals of the Yongbongji Conference, raising the name of their sect!
Although the young master said he only made it to the first round of the finals, they heard that his opponent was Namgung Jin-cheon, who had taken the runner-up position.
Thus, they thought if the draw had been favorable, the young master might have gone up to the third round at least.
“And recently, the young master’s skills have improved greatly, so perhaps now you could have a rematch with Namgung Jin-cheon. Hahaha!”
“Namgung Gongja must also be focused on training, so it might still be difficult.”
“From what we see, the only flaw of our brilliant young master is a lack of confidence. Young master, please have more confidence!”
“That’s right! You’ve almost perfected the Quick Spirit Flash, so why not start training in other techniques as well? Be confident in your abilities!”
Dao Yuetian sighed inwardly at their words.
He knew their words were not flattery, and because of that, he wished it were mere flattery.
‘They are like frogs in a well.’
This was the difference between Dao Yuetian, who had met true geniuses from all over the continent at the Yongbongji Conference, and them.
However, he knew from his six months of experience that explaining the world to those who hadn’t seen it was like talking to a wall.
“Thank you for your words, but Cheon Seom Moon cannot become stronger with just my strength alone. So now, everyone, start training with me.”
“Hmm. Yes, we should do that.”
Thus, Dao Yuetian led the disciples, who clearly did not want to train, and began to instruct them.
“Now, I will go to continue my training. Please repeat the training we’ve done so far.”
“Yes, young master.”
Knowing they would slack off as soon as he left, Dao Yuetian couldn’t help but leave the training ground.
While it was good to take care of them, his own training was also important.
On his way to the small training ground for personal practice, he met a middle-aged man approaching from the opposite direction and quickly greeted him with a respectful gesture.
“Good work today, my son.”
“It was my duty, Father.”
After a brief conversation, the father and son exchanged a knowing glance.
Fortunately for Dao Yuetian, his father, Dao Ji-hwan, was not like the disciples.
In fact, it was Dao Ji-hwan who had sent him to the Yongbongji Conference to see the world.
“I am at a loss as to how to lead the disciples, Father.”
“They were all born and raised here. Besides, being young and full of competitive spirit, it is natural for them to be unaware of the world’s dangers. Moreover, they are not entirely wrong. My son.”
“They are not wrong?”
“It may be frustrating for you, but even at their level, they are capable enough to handle themselves in Gozhang County.”
One of the reasons why the disciples weren’t deeply focused on training.
They already had enough skills to get by in Gozhang County, so they were eager to experience real combat rather than just staying in the sect for training.
The young disciples, even when forming the Samjae Formation, were no match for the black-clad figures.
Dao Yuetian’s father, Dao Ji-hwan, was gaining the upper hand against one black-clad figure.
“Lord! You must... escape... ugh...”
The deputy leader and the elder disciples, who were taught martial arts by Dao Ji-hwan’s father, were also falling one by one to the black-clad figures.
Realizing that everyone would die at this rate, Dao Ji-hwan recalled a plan he had considered when his son spoke of a troubling future.
– Yuetian! I will clear a path, so do not miss the moment to escape!
His ultimate plan was to sacrifice himself to save his son.
– How can you tell me to abandon the sect and flee as the head of the young disciples!
– We must save your mother and Yueying!
Hearing his father’s follow-up, Dao Yuetian gritted his teeth.
They didn’t know, but this was a future altered by Mu-jin’s intervention.
Originally, Dao Yuetian was supposed to escape alone with the sacrifice of his family and the disciples.
However, due to Dao Yuetian’s remarkable progress in martial arts, Dao Ji-hwan decided to entrust his son with the safety of his wife and daughter as well.
Just as Dao Ji-hwan prepared to sacrifice himself to make a way, a change occurred on the battlefield.
Boom!!
With a violent noise, a section of the Cheon Seom Moon’s wall exploded, and new figures appeared.
Naturally, the intense battlefield fell silent for a moment, but the new arrivals paid no mind to the atmosphere.
“Phew... what impeccable timing.”
“Timing? What do you mean?”
“It’s a thing. Don’t try to understand. You’ll get hurt.”
Seeing these incomprehensible figures, Dao Ji-hwan felt dizzy, but his face brightened at his son’s shout.
“Mu-jin Monk!!”
“Oh! Thank goodness you’re alive! Dao Yuetian Shiju-nim!”
‘If it’s Mu-jin Monk, he’s the Shaolin Dragon who gave Yue-tian the pills and warned him of the ambush!’
The best young warrior of the orthodox sect who won the Yongbongji Conference.
Not only that, but he also caused a stir in Guangxi Province recently, earning the ire of the Green Forest and Amcheonhoe. Despite his age, he was already a well-known master in the martial arts world.
‘I must ask them to save Yueying and my wife.’
Before Dao Ji-hwan could speak, the Shaolin Dragon and his party moved first.
“Hold on a bit longer! Let’s go, guys!”
The Shaolin Dragon shouted and immediately flew at incredible speed towards the leader of the black-clad figures by the front wall.
Boom!!
With a loud crash, the Shaolin Dragon and the leader of the black-clad figures began a fierce battle.
Meanwhile, a young swordsman in a robe waded into the midst of the young disciples of Cheon Seom Moon, defending them from the black-clad figures’ attacks.
Swish.
No, not just defending, he was creating fatal wounds in their throats and hearts at the slightest opening.
‘What...’
From Dao Ji-hwan’s perspective, the skill to swiftly and precisely stab with a sword into what seemed like no openings was ghostly.
“Die!!”
Elsewhere, a young man was slaughtering black-clad figures with the Striking Bone Technique.
“Hmph!”
A large young man was breathing fire from his hands, driving back the black-clad figures.
But the highlight was...
“A monkey?”
A young man, fighting alongside a monkey, was beating the black-clad figures.
“Is... is he human?”
No, the way he moved, it seemed like there were two monkeys, not a human and a monkey.
The black-clad figures, who had been overwhelming them, were suddenly at a disadvantage.
The black-clad figures even abandoned their siege, with the three who had been blocking the left and right rear joining the fray.
Crash!
But they too were no match for the skills of the Shaolin Dragon’s party.
As most of the black-clad figures were dealt with.
“Mu-jin, is it over?”
The Shaolin Dragon returned, his clothes in tatters, after attacking the leader of the black-clad figures.
“Seemed stronger than you thought?”
Seeing the Shaolin Dragon’s state, the large young man asked, to which the Shaolin Dragon spat like a common thug.
“Damn muscle loss.”
He muttered something incomprehensible.