Chapter 421: Chapter 1309: If It's You, I Should Concede (Part 3)
"Hey!"
"You crawled all the way here!"
Those who were camped along the gorge rushed towards Hye Yeon in an instant.
The atmosphere was somewhat different.
Those camped outside the canyon were equally hostile, but the ones in front of him had a much more refined and sharp feeling.
Swoosh!
Two in front, two above.
Four people were rushing towards Hye Yeon simultaneously.
In their hands were long spears that looked like at least a yard long.
A spear is more efficient than any other weapon in the world. When held by inexperienced hands, there is no weapon easier to wield with more power than this.
Of course, the length makes it difficult to unleash the full potential of the upward martial arts. But not here.
In a narrow path where there was no place to avoid and you had to charge head-on, the power of that spear was several times greater.
Moreover, Hye Yeon was a fist master who couldn't take advantage of the length of a weapon.
If this disadvantage was added, the situation became even more serious.
If he could use his power, which was like a long-range weapon, freely, it would be great. However, he couldn't unleash his power in this valley.
If the canyon caved in due to even a slight mistake, the disciples of the Southern Island Sect following behind would be caught in a catastrophe.
His specialty was defense, and the matchup with the enemy was horrendous.
But even knowing all this, Hye Yeon's mind was unwavering.
Kwung!
Stepping on the rocks, Hye Yeon rushed forward.
"Amitabha!"
After a short invocation, he gently waved his hands toward the spears flying in from the front.
Clang clang clang!
The spear, which spewed out spear energy that could cut steel, was bounced off without hesitation as soon as it touched Hye Yeon's sleeves.
Even the spears that were stretched out like tentacles twisted on their own and avoided Hye Yeon on all sides.
Hye Yeon's body moved along the gap created by those spears, leaving a phantom-like afterimage.
Golden Bell Iron Body (金剛不動步)!
One of the seventy-two stances of Shaolin. The martial arts of Shaolin were the foundation of the Central Plains.
Could anyone claim the title of the foundation of Central Plains martial arts simply with the strength and power of internal force?
Fist Palm Finger Foot (拳掌指脚), Internal and External Footwork (內外步迅).
The essence of martial arts that used the human body was contained within Shaolin's martial arts.
As Hye Yeon moved like a mirage, the enemies quickly retrieved their extended spears.
Rather than simply pulling them back, they grabbed just below the spearhead as if throwing the spear backward, not holding the shaft.
If you grab the long part of the spear, it becomes a short spear.
It's a simple idea, but those accustomed to the advantages of the spear could not easily come up with it.
Just by seeing this immediate response, one could tell how accustomed they were to combat.
However, Hye Yeon's ability surpassed even their response.
The person who grabbed just below the spearhead tried to thrust forward in an instant.
Hye Yeon should've halted at this point to secure the attacking distance for a fist master.
However, at that moment, Hye Yeon delved even deeper towards them.
To the extent that even throwing a punch would be impossible.
"What?"
As if planting his foot on the ground, Hye Yeon, who had plunged in so deeply that shoulder to shoulder was touching, exerted a sudden force.
A force that originated from the tip of the foot rose through the legs like a whirlwind, crossing the upper body in an instant, reaching the shoulders.
Hye Yeon forcefully struck the chest of the martial artist in front of him with his shoulders.
Kwoooong!
Powerful Spiral Force (螺旋勁).
The powerful technique of rotating the shoulders to shatter the armor on the opponent's chest to pieces.
It was as if a porcelain plate slipped from one's hand.
The enemy couldn't even scream and as thrown back.
Just by seeing his body rotating fiercely in the air, one could tell how tremendous rotational force Hye Yeon's strike possessed.
"Kuk!"
"This guy!"
Taking advantage of the moment when his comrade fell from the blow, other martial artists swiftly thrust their short spears.
But what blocked them was Hye Yeon's hand, which looked oddly bent.
Thunk!
Another one of the seventy-two stances, Dragon Claw Hand (龍爪手), as the name suggests, caught the short spear flying like a dragon's claw.
Hye Yeon's hand, which caught three spears in an instant, unfolded as if it had an elastic force.
White energy (指力) shot in a straight line from the fingertips.
Swoosh!
The flashing energy pierced through the bodies of the warriors.
"Aaaah!"
With small holes in their bodies, they sprawled, pouring out blood.
It was a display of the famous technique of Shaolin called Divine Fingertips (彈指神通), showcasing its renowned power through Hye Yeon's hands.
"This, this damn guy!"
A martial artist behind tried to thrust his spear, but this time, Hye Yeon's foot swung horizontally without any preparatory movement.
No, rather than 'swinging', it should be expressed as a 'slashing'.
The edge of the spear that touched his toe was cleanly cut off as if sliced by a sharp sword.
"Wi-with the foot...?"
The martial artist, shocked, couldn't even think of retracting the spear.
Hye Yeon lowered his posture in front of the severed spearhead.
"Amitabha."
Hye Yeon's palm briefly struck the cut end of the spearhead.
It was a light movement, as if a child were reaching out its hand.
But the result was by no means light.
Toooong!
The force of the Thousand Buddha Bell (千佛鐘), channeled through Hye Yeon's hand, made the long spearhead ring like a bell.
"Kluk!"
"Uwaaack!"
Those who were rushing forward with momentum all spilled blood simultaneously.
As soon as they felt the resonating vibration, their insides involuntarily trembled.
If those behind who received such a shock, they knew exactly what would happen to the one hit directly in front.
Like a bell struck against a wooden post, he convulsively jerked as blood spurted from the seven orifices.
"Amitabha."
As his body crumpled forward, Hye Yeon reached out his arm and gently supported him.
Then, he carefully placed him on the ground.
Looking ahead with slightly heavy breaths, the Evil Sect warriors, who had formed a tight formation, couldn't easily charge forward and had to swallow their dry saliva.
There was no other way.
Starting with Fist Techniques, followed by Jab Techniques, then High Techniques, Soft Techniques, and even Sound Techniques. It felt like all the martial arts in the world were flowing from Hye Yeon's hands.
Whether it was sparring or a matter of life and death, predicting the opponent's attack was essential.
However, Hye Yeon's movements were boldly unpredictable.
All martial arts that could be unfolded without weapons seem to unfold from his fingertips.
Shaolin, the foundation of Central Plains martial arts. Although he left Shaolin on his own accord, Hye Yeon was the one who inherited Shaolin perfectly.
The purified essence of the Thousand Year Shaolin's martial arts emanated from the tip of his fist.
Before the profound essence of martial arts, those facing him felt an immense sense of powerlessness.
The depth in his eyes was so profound that it resembled a lake where the bottom was never visible to the human eye.
Squelch.
Hye Yeon quietly clenched his fist.
In the past, would he have been able to fight like this?
It was probably impossible.
Knowing and doing are different.
No matter how much you learn and master, making it your own is a separate issue.
The same went for Buddhism.
'Knowing is not everything.'
Among those studying Buddhism, who wouldn't know the meaning conveyed by the scriptures?
However, even though everyone knew it, no one truly understood its meaning.
Sitting inside a narrow Buddhist temple, you cannot know anything.
What the Buddha wanted was to gain enlightenment and, in doing so, save sentient beings.
If you don't know the lives of the sentient beings you want to save, you cannot understand anything.
You must observe the bottom of the world where sentient beings live.
Before leaving Shaolin, he stayed only at the level of knowing martial arts.
What allowed him to embody his teachings was the grueling training and real-life situations that were difficult to handle.
He, who did not settle for just knowing, finally accepted the path he wanted to walk with his body.
This was thanks to his persistent curiosity and the harsh reality that was difficult to bear.
'Shaolin.'
Hye Yeon wanted to shout.
Open the tightly closed door and come out into the world.
Throw away the arrogance filled with yellow robes and return to the life of a monk.
There was arrogance in believing that no one but Shaolin could commit actions under the pretext of saving the world and Kangho.
How could one not know this?
Even when they discussed Buddhism with elegance, blood was shed in some corner of the world.
Someone died with a hungry stomach.
Even as they discuss greater meanings, their merciful gaze only looked at where the sun shone.
Therefore, this was the place where he should undoubtedly be.
Even if Shaolin were not wrong, the same would apply.
It was an undeniable fact that there was a world that Shaolin could not illuminate.
The one who took that place was none other than Hye Yeon, who stepped out on his own.
"You won't listen to words telling you to step back, will you? Amitabha."
Hye Yeon closed his eyes while speaking firmly.
In the eyes that opened again shortly, there was a resolute determination.
"If I do, just forgive me." [idk]
With a swift movement, Hye Yeon dashed forward. Pushing away the chaotically thrusting spears and twisting the nonexistent path, he took one more step forward.
A path never walked by any disciple of Shaolin.
This was a path that only someone who was a disciple of Shaolin, but rejected being a disciple of Shaolin, could walk.
Lonely, painful, and bewildering with every step.
Yet, Hye Yeon could tread this path for a simple reason.
"Where are you going, you bastard!"
Whoosh!
A swift sword from behind knocked away the spearhead flying towards his head. Without even bothering to look up, Hye Yeon sensed the situation through his instincts and smiled faintly.
Yes. They still bothered him.
Hye Yeon's path was a thorny road that no one could help, a path through a thorn bush. Nevertheless, until he reached his destination, they would always watch his back.
There was no need to push his back. Just walking together provided comfort. Because that's what people were like.
"Don't be too arrogant, Jo Gol Dojang!"
"What? Oh, no...?"
Hye Yeon didn't wait for Jo Gol's response and continued to stride forward. Although Jo Gol shouted something from behind, Hye Yeon just grinned.
'It's bothersome.'
That's why it was more meaningful. Walking together without discomfort was easy. Leaning on each other despite the discomfort, trying to be together even in the face of various difficulties.
That was what being human was.
"Amitabha! Come!"
With Hye Yeon's spirited shout, his fist shot forward.
The edge of the spear brushed his cheek, and blood splattered, but Hye Yeon paid no attention and continued forward.
One step. Another step.
If not him, someone else would have to silently open the path through pain.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Bagel_Seeds
Bagel_Seeds casually forgot this kid is OP
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone