730 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

# Chapter 730: Northern Rabbit As time flowed onward, dusk began to set in. In Hanam, one by one, the lanterns started to flicker alight, taking in the glow as night approached. Under normal circumstances, it would be time for people to either visit the marketplace or return home, yet the streets were overflowing with crowds. Since the start of the martial arts competition, it had been this way day by day, but today's crowd was exceptionally large. Especially near the Murim Alliance headquarters. Even beyond the spectator stands, the area was brimming with people. There was only one reason for this gathering. "The time is drawing near, isn't it?" "Indeed. It will soon be Shin Ryong's turn." "Ah... If only I could be closer, I'd have no greater wish." It was for Shin Ryong's duel. The crowd had gathered to witness it. In wonder of how one warrior's duel could draw such a multitude, one could find understanding upon hearing the rumors that had spread throughout Hanam. Shin Ryong was seen as the hope of Shaolin and the pinnacle of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks. He had successfully proven his worth in a duel with the Sword of the Crescent Moon. He had shown what it meant to be the youngest Hwakyung and clearly demonstrated his value. At just around his twenties, he had an immensely towering presence for someone who was only transitioning from boyhood to adulthood. As a result, another title had emerged for Shin Ryong. The future supreme martial artist. Or the one destined to become the world's greatest. At least in Hanam, Shin Ryong's worth was recognized as such. Though he wasn’t yet the supreme figure himself, it was certain that he was a future prodigy who would reach the peak one day. With such promise, Shin Ryong's name easily attracted a massive audience. "Is Shin Ryong really that remarkable?" As a man expressed doubt, another next to him, as if having anticipated this, responded. "Haven't you heard the rumors, Jang?" "That's exactly why I'm asking. It’s hard to take rumors at face value…." "I can confidently say, the rumors are actually understated." "But how can that be? They say he used the Hundred Steps Divine Fist. Can a future prodigy truly do such a thing?" The Hundred Steps Divine Fist. Called the ultimate technique of Shaolin, it’s said to devastate a distance over a hundred steps with a single blow. Few among Shaolin's warriors were known to use it. To hear that a mere future prodigy used it was almost unbelievable. "Hmph." Amused by Jang's skepticism, Cheon, the owner of the Wuliang Tavern, chuckled. "This is why you can’t converse with those who haven’t seen the martial arts competition." "...Now, just because you've seen it once, you think you're so grand." "Wouldn't you? Especially when you can’t even believe something as simple as the Hundred Steps Divine Fist." "Simple?" Jang’s eyes widened at Cheon's words. "Simple? Since when is the Hundred Steps Divine Fist simple?" "Anyone who saw the competition would say so." Cheon leaned slightly toward Jang as he said this. "Don’t be surprised. In addition to the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, Shin Ryong used none other than the Imperial Radiance Armor." "...What? The Imperial Radiance Armor!?" Jang exclaimed in shock at Cheon's words. "And what is that?" “...” "...No, I'm genuinely curious..." Seeing Jang feeling a bit awkward, Cheon cleared his throat. "Disappointing. You didn’t know about Shaolin's Imperial Radiance Armor?" "I'm not part of Shaolin... how could I know all their techniques...." The Hundred Steps Divine Fist might be famous enough, but what was the Imperial Radiance Armor? No matter how much Jang thought, he couldn't recall. It was understandable. If only a few could wield the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, even fewer could use the Imperial Radiance Armor. A secret technique of Shaolin that only those who have attained the utmost enlightenment in practice can wield. It involves adorning oneself with the teachings of Buddha, crafting a golden armor embodying that wisdom. Called "Unbreakable as Diamond," this indestructible armor embodies the pinnacle of enlightenment. An undefeated martial art. And that was Shaolin's Imperial Radiance Armor. "...And Shin Ryong used that?" Shin Ryong had mastered such a technique at such a young age. Hence why he was called a supreme martial artist in the making. "If those rumors are true... it’s no wonder this crowd has gathered." "People hold onto hopes, wondering if they might witness it in today's duel." Adorned in golden light, Shin Ryong was more brilliant than anyone. In the current Shaolin, the number who could deploy the Imperial Radiance Armor was countable on one hand. Or perhaps even fewer. Given the rare opportunities to witness Shaolin's martial arts, many came with high expectations. "Hearing this makes me quite eager." "Right? I knew you would say so, Jang." "But it’s something we can only see if he decides to show it." While the thought of seeing it was enticing, there was a concern. As previously mentioned, it wasn't a power one could simply witness by wishing to see it. "On top of that, I heard Shin Ryong is injured." In the recently held finals. It was said the battle had been incredibly fierce. As Shin Ryong's value grew, so too did the fame of his opponent at the time. Wi Seol Ah, the Sword of the Crescent Moon. One of the Three Sovereigns. And said to be the heir of the Sword Sovereign. She showed a performance that matched Shin Ryong, who had attained Hwakyung, and though she was ultimately defeated, she managed to inflict significant wounds on him. Her Sword of the Rising Moon technique was known for its distinctive features, and it validated her as the heir of the Sword Sovereign. Moreover, the fact that she wasn't overwhelmed by Shin Ryong’s immense power demonstrated... "The future of the Central Plains looks bright indeed." At Cheon's content expression, Jang nodded in agreement. "...It seems so. Seeing the emergence of the Crescent Moon Sword, perhaps... even the Sword Sovereign himself might reappear." "Hmm? Why bring up the Sword Sovereign now?" "The future of the Central Plains aside... isn't the present quite dark? If he were to reappear... it would bring some comfort." "Dark? Not at all, man. These days are among the brightest we’ve seen recently." Responding to Cheon's words, Jang offered a pained smile. Bright, is it... truly bright? 'Even though we're merely keeping the red demons at bay…. What is it that makes this bright?' While the unprecedented festival brought delight to many, claiming these times were bright was a falsehood. It was a time of crisis, and Jang was well aware of it. "With the Geomseon around, what is there to fear? Just enjoy it for now." "...You're right..." There wasn't anyone who would empathize with his thoughts. Perhaps his thinking was wrong, he mused. So, he decided to change the subject with casual agreement. "Oh right, who is Shin Ryong's opponent?" He understood why such a crowd had gathered for Shin Ryong, but who was he facing? When he asked out of curiosity, Cheon replied with a curious expression. "Well... from what I've heard, it's the child of the Gu family." "Gu family? You mean the Shanxi Gu family?" "Correct. The clan renowned for their chivalry." "If it's a child of the Gu family... it can't be Geom Bong. Ah." Jang recalled. He had heard something about this before. Maybe on the first or second day of the competition, they said a child of the Gu family had taken down a Huakyung martial artist in a single blow. His nickname was likely... "So Yeomra." Gu Yang Cheon, known as So Yeomra. A young warrior who, a few years ago, had played a significant role during a great incident. Jang was also familiar with him. Despite the profusion of rumors, he hadn't been active for years. 'Now that I think about it...' When Gu Yang Cheon, So Yeomra, was causing ripples across Zhongyuan, there was another rumor following the young man. "Wasn’t he also called the youngest to reach Huakyung?" When Jang mentioned what came to his mind, Cheon laughed aloud. "That’s old news. Besides, it was just a baseless rumor." "A rumor?" "Of course. If it weren’t a rumor, how would the alliance claim Shin Ryong to be the youngest to reach Huakyung?" "...Hmm." It made sense. "Jang, you’re quite innocent, aren't you?" "I just thought it was worth mentioning." In any case, it didn't really matter. What's important was... "...Defeating a Huakyung warrior, does that mean So Yeomra has reached Huakyung?" "You could say that... but there was much talk about that part." "What sort of talk?" "It was said that So Yeomra’s opponent was someone who had barely reached Huakyung... and they speculated his victory was due to his opponent's complacency." Cheon's words prompted a peculiar reaction in Jang. A Huakyung martial artist, complacent? And on the stage of battle? '...Does that make sense?' He thought it didn't, but kept to himself. Instead of seeing it as complacency, he thought... 'Perhaps So Yeomra was so strong, they didn’t even realize it... That might be more accurate?' He recalled the fundamental mystery. But that also didn’t feel entirely correct. Thus, he refrained from saying it out loud. Even if there were strange rumors about So Yeomra, 'We'll find out soon enough.' Any questions would be answered shortly. Jang wasn’t one to easily believe anything until he saw it with his own eyes. -Waaaaaah-! Suddenly, cheers erupted. Jang looked up from a distance. He could just barely make out someone stepping onto the arena. 'That young man...' There was a young monk, possessing sculpted features. Clearly marked as a person of Shaolin, his benevolent and warm demeanor stood out. -Shin Ryong! Shin Ryong! Shin Ryong-! With the youth’s appearance, the crowd erupted in cheers. The audience kept chanting Shin Ryong’s name, heating up the atmosphere. Amidst this fervor, Jang diverted his gaze from Shin Ryong, focusing on his opponent instead. 'What?' Jang frowned at the notably different vibe. The youth was leaning on one leg, scowling as if annoyed by the noise, picking his ear. He had black hair with a faint blue tint... '...He looks intimidating.' His appearance was startling at first glance. What in the world? How could a person have such a menacing look? That young man must be So Yeomra. 'Something about him...' His first impression was markedly rogue. Not even attempting to hide it, he was openly defiant. How could someone associated with a righteous sect behave like that despite the watchful eyes of so many? He seemed entirely unconcerned about the gazes of others. Watching this, Jang felt something subtly off but oddly suitable about the young man. Perhaps it wasn’t childish rebelliousness as he weighed it. What is this feeling? Confounded by the indecipherable sensation, Jang glanced at Cheon. "Cheon Hyung." "What is it? I'm a bit occupied right now, so..." "Who do you think will win?" "Hmm?" Cheon flinched, his eyes still on Shin Ryong. His expression shifted to one that questioned the oddity of the question. "Oh, come now. Why are you asking that?" Surely, it was obvious. "Shin Ryong, of course." "...Is that so?" "Do you think Shin Ryong might lose?" "You never know what might happen." "Ha ha. How can a merchant be so naïve about the world?" Indeed. Jang nodded at Cheon's words. Everyone believed in Shin Ryong, so why didn’t he? A young man he had never met before. Once famous but now dismissed as a mere rumor by everyone else. Why did he feel compelled to focus on that unfamiliar youth? Despite knowing all that, why did Jang find himself thinking, For some reason, it didn’t seem like Shin Ryong would win. Lost in these thoughts, a brief moment passed. -The So Yeomra from the Shanxi Gu family. Against Shaolin's Yoo Yeon-dae. -The duel begins! A voice announced the start of the duel from the distant arena. At that moment. Uwooong--!! “...!” Jang immediately sensed a shift in the air around them. It was heavy and suffocating. Flaaare--!! “Ugh!” People around him quickly shielded their eyes. An immense light erupted from the center of the arena, casting golden rays resembling the sun in all directions. Simultaneously, the oppressive heaviness was gradually replaced by a comforting warmth. A gentle breeze blew. It wrapped around them, warm and compassionate. Feeling this, Jang opened his eyes. "Huh...?" He had to catch his breath as he looked at the arena. "Ha ha ha ha! There it is! That's exactly what I was talking about!" Cheon, standing beside him, exclaimed in excitement. Upon hearing Cheon's words, Jang finally recalled what he had mentioned. The Imperial Radiance Armor. Shaolin's secret technique. An overwhelming presence that enveloped the entire body. This golden armor now encased Shin Ryong. “To think I’d witness this from the very start…!! It seems Shin Ryong intends to go all out against any opponent.” “...” Jang couldn’t find his voice. Was this truly a power wielded by a human? ‘Certainly…. It deserves to be called unbreakable as diamond.’ He could tell just by looking at it. That solid armor seemed nearly indestructible. In fact, the idea of it breaking was unfathomable. Waaaaaah---!! As Shin Ryong displayed the Imperial Radiance Armor right from the onset, the cheers became even more deafening. This was a monumental moment in history. A moment they were all part of. Shin Ryong was at the heart of the forthcoming history. Knowing this, the fervor in the air skyrocketed. ‘…This….’ Observing the scene, Jang smirked. ‘Impressive.’ They said he was the most likely candidate to become the future supreme martial artist, and they were right. Indeed, Shin Ryong was fitting of such a title. And yet... ‘Why am I still watching that man?’ Jang’s gaze shifted back to So Yeomra. Even in the face of the resplendent light, So Yeomra's expression remained unchanged. Had he given up the fight? Had he lost his fighting spirit right at the sight? His face suggested such thoughts. Detached and indifferent. He seemed utterly unconcerned with the martial technique Shin Ryong displayed. How could anyone be like that? In the face of such an overwhelming spectacle, how could he remain unaffected? Though Jang bore such doubts, they did not linger. The duel had begun. Immediately, Shin Ryong, clad in the Imperial Radiance Armor, charged at So Yeomra. Crack. A brief sound followed. “…Huh?” -Waaaaah…. Huh? The cheers mingled with confusion. And it was to be expected. “What the hell is that?” “…That…what?” The golden armor, similar to unbreakable as diamond. The armor that Shin Ryong wore... Crrrrunch-! So Yeomra began to tear it apart with his bare hands.