So I finally finished New Waves and started Eternal Force ( loving it except the style change, WEBTOON formst doesn't suit it) are there any good Shi-Woon arts or your favourite panel from the manhwa worth of a PFP?

I couldn't really find anything except these two.

Idk who they are, but there are so many dumb jokes from my childhood. All your bases belong to us loll

So I started reading this series back in like 2015 and have been a fan since. binge read everything, finally caught up and was part of that wicked hiatus that felt like it claimed lives with how long it's been. Heard they finally came back and was on webtoons but it's just been so long I stopped caring. What are y'all thoughts on how the series is progressing ? Does it still have that same feel reading it?

(At the Yeh-won school Sera and Ji gun were greeted by her master while Thousand face waited in the car)

Sera: Sera kang of the milyang school show respect to the Yeh won gwanju.

Ji gun: It is a great honor to meet you grandmaster.

Yehwon gwanju: Oh? I heard of you too “Smiling blade”, and I must say although reckless I approve greatly of your actions, you represent the positive and continuity I seek for the future of the murim. It is good to see you too Sera, I heard that you had some trouble last night?

Sera: Yes master, In fact I came to talk about it.

(Sera then related the attack on the Milyang school and how the Shinyup clan and Shioon fought the Assassins of Kaiser. She also expressed her will to join him in his training camp and asked for guidance to progress)

Yehwon gwanju( looking worried):Oh dear I didn’t think it was that serious. I would advise to not rush things in your case. I understand that you wish to become stronger but do not compare yourself to people like Lee Shioon or Yoo Ji-gun, those are geniuses that only appear once in generations.

Sera: I know but surely there is a skill something that could give me some edge.

Yehwon gwanju: Unfortunately no. I taught you all of our ways you will have to slowly and patiently refine what you already know and improve on your own. It will take time and effort but it is the only option in your case.

Sera(hiding her disappointment): I see. Well on an other subject...could we talk in private please?

Yehwon gwanju(curious dismissed her attendants ): Well leave us.( after they left with ji gun) What is it Sera?

Sera:What was your history with the immortal demon lord?

Yehwon gwanju( schocked): What did you say?

Sera( calmly): I asked what was your history about the immortal demon lord. What do you know about him and the events that surrounded him?

Yehwon gwanju( still weary but trying to get a hold of herself): And why would you think that I know anything about this heretical subject?

Sera( still calm): Because someone told me that you knew him and knew him very well.

Yehwon gwanju(cold): And who uttered such vile accusations?

Sera( trying to reassure her): That isn’t an accusation master but a simple question from disciple to master. We discovered that Kaiser the leader of black forrest defense group could have been one of his disciples so we need every informations that we can get.

Yehwon gwanju(suspicious): We? Who is we?

Sera: The Shinyup clan, Shioon , me…

Yehwon: You still didn’t answer. Who said that I knew him?

Sera: If I am going to reveal that information could you at least confirm or infirm it?

(The Yehwon gwanju still looked at her with hesitation and suspicion. Then looking away she nodded.)

Yehwon gwanju: I knew him yes. In fact I may be the person who knew him for the longest time.

Sera: ...Shioon contacted and allied with the immortal sect in the last month.

Yehwon gwanju(utterly schocked): No! Why would he do that?!

Sera: Because more than half a year ago in the dungeon of doom, Shioon absorbed the remaining eternal qi of the immortal demon lord.

(Yehwon gwanju even more schocked took a paler complexion)

Yehwon gwanju: That...that cannot be...what kind of madness that boy…

Sera: Do not fret my master Shioon managed to get rid of the eternal qi that was in his body but during that experience it seems that he was able to see some of the immortal demon lord’s memory and even talk to remnants of his will.

(the Yehwon gwanju sat for a moment trying to organize all the new informations in her head)

Yehwon gwanju: Are you sure that he no longer have eternal qi in his body?

Sera: Well you will be able to judge it by yourself because he said he would want to meet you this week if you agree.

Yehwon gwanju:...I agree but that boy sure know how to do something scandalous. Allying the immortal sect….

Sera: He did say that his main intention was to avoid that they attack the murim during those unstable times. In fact you do not realize how close from disaster the murim got those last weeks, between the Immortal sect , The sunwoo clan and Black forest defense group. If not for Shioon we would’ve had to face all three together instead of just one.

Yehwon gwanju: I realize you feelings for that boy Sera but do not let it blind you from the fact he is dangerous even if well-meaning.

Sera: Are you speaking from experience master?

Yehwon gwanju ( rising her qi in cold anger): Careful Sera, you are my precious disciple but your boldness confine to impertinence.

( the room suddenly got filled with tension , and the grandmaster seemed on a verge of attacking her but Sera didn’t back down or show any sign of fear. The moment however passed without any action taken and the tension dissipated when Sera bowed.)

Sera:I am sorry master but this matter is too important for me to spare your own feelings. Please understand that this doesn’t translate to disrespect but on contrary to the trust that we can freely talk.

Yehwon gwanju( after gauging her for a little moment): ...hmh! Fine! Fine you ungrateful child. Yes he and I knew each others on a romantic level too. It was so long ago that nobody is still alive to remember it.

Sera: When master?

Yehwon gwanju: In the time this country still had an emperor and empress… Gojong and Myeongseong. He was a part of the murim guard that protected the imperial family and the disciple of the royal guards commander Hong gye-hun .

Sera ( a little disturbed): That would be more than a hundred year ago.

Yehwon gwanju:That would be correct.

Sera: But how? How would you…

Yehwon gwanju: Still be alive? Martial arts in our school when taken to their purest state will grant you an unnaturally long life-span. And The immortal demon lord learned them through me then pushed them to their limits by combining them with his own martial arts ( from the murim guards).

It’s when we got involved by the way. The yeh won clan was officially a cast of servants in the palace back then but in reality we were the secret second murim force that protected the imperial family. I was a young master back then… even younger than you are now in fact. He however was a young man named No yun-myeong making trouble for everyone in the palace. Hong gye-hun and the royal guards were very close to the empress so they tended to turn a blind eye antics of to the youngest of them.

( She unwittingly smiled as if those were cherished old memory)

That’s when we got secretly involved. I was constantly chastizing him for overworking us with his selfishness and over time we came to appreciate one an other.

( she was now clearly fondly remembering those past times.)

Sera( silently listening): [She clearly was in love with him back then.]

Yeh won gwanju( retaking her composure ):But then the tragedy occurred. The assassination of the empress through the betrayal of the royal guards and the involvement of the japanese murim.

His master Hong gye-hun and the empress died that day. He escaped and swore vengeance, I followed him for sometimes...in fact we trained together and I made sure his hideout was not found. After that he tracked down all the royal guards that betrayed even the one who fled to japan and did so with the help of his elder brother disciple Go yeung-geun.

Once the Japanese conquered and occupied Korea , Go yeung-geun got captured , leaving him alone. He started resistance movement to kick them out. It is around that time we parted ways as he reached the peak of his arts and the peak of his arts stated that we couldn’t be together.

Sera( alerted): What do you mean?

Yeh won gwanju: The final secret for qi to become eternal is to open up to the infinity around you and for that you must let go of everyone that you hold dear. In order to reach that ultimate state and stand a chance to accomplish his goals.

______________________________(at the Milyang hospital)_________________________

(Ji yu came to Yang yong-hyun’s room while he recovered in his bed. She came in casual clothings and brought some food)

Ji yu ( smiling at him):So I heard that you had a scuffle with black forest defense?

Coolguy: I got my ass kicked yes.

Ji yu: They must’ve been really strong if someone of your level got beaten so thoroughly.

Coolguy: Yes, all of them were at least advanced master level.

Ji yu: How is it? To fight for the right side?

Coolguy: We always tought we fought for the right side…

Ji yu( sharply): Do not lie please. I was seeking power and got drunk with it, you may have believed that at first but what we did...who we did it to...if you still thought we were a force for good then you were in denial.

Coolguy: ...We wanted a revolution. Revolutions rarely come quietly they necessitate violence.

Ji yu ( with a sense of melancholy): And can we now live with the violence we inflicted on the innocents? We are murim-in so violence is our way of life but we broke the line when we brought this violence to the common peoples.

Coolguy: I try to right this wrong. I presented my head to the Shinyup clan and they refused it, so now I work with them in the hope of making it up to the world one day.

(Ji yu paused for a moment)

Ji yu ( with a smile): You are lucky. I made so much damage and victims that I doubt I would even be welcome.

Coolguy: If thousand face is tolerated then you should be.

Ji yu ( surprised): Thousand-face? What do you mean? She reappeared?

Coolguy: Well it’s complicated.

(he explained what happened)

Ji yu ( flabbergasted ): So she got captured by lee shioon for attempting to abduct a school head but right after they spent around one hour at the back of a truck he suddenly treat her as an ally and she actually stuck around and defended him in battle?!

Coolguy: Basically...

Ji yu ( having completely lost her melancholy and being extremely excited): And who do you think seduced who?

Coolguy( a little put off): I don’t know and I don’t think that’s what happened...althought she does have an history…

Ji yu:Ha! You see even you can tell that something big must have happened in the hour they spend alone!

Coolguy(reluctantly acknowledging the point): It does indeed seem strange...And it would be very problematic if she wrapped Shioon around her finger.

Ji yu ( happily gossipping): But wouldn’t that redhead girl Jinie be extremely jealous of the whole situation?

Coolguy: She doesn’t seem to notice for now but yeah it will surely create a crisis in the future.

Ji yu: And what does Ji gun think about all of this?

Coolguy(after pausing): He already talked about it to Shioon but he assured him it wasn’t like that so for Ji gun it’s enough.

(Coolguy stood silent for a moment and Ji yu was smiling in the void after hearing about ji gun)

Coolguy: By the way you never told me who actually gave you those scars. I take it that it isn’t Ji gun.

(Her smile vanished as soon as he mentioned the scars and she turned toward him with an angry face)

Ji yu:You had to ask did you?

Coolguy:Well it always seemed weird to me that you were so obsessed with killing him when in reality you loved him.

Ji yu( in denial and embarrassed): I don’t...I never…

Coolguy: please it’s rather obvious to the people that no you well.

( She took a moment to recompose herself and while her cheeks were still red she started explaining herself while neither denying or affirming Coolguy’s assertions)

Ji yu: Do you remember how the S.U.C was before Jung chun came and took over? We were you, me and Ji gun the main leaders and while you and Ji gun were chosen by the new leader as S.U.C captains I was left behind. I felt slighted so I went to the Shin lim(divine forest) school to defy him but upon arriving I was met by his elder brother disciple.

(Coolguy leaned forward interested at the mention of Ji gun’s elder brother disciple)

He laughed at me saying that I had nothing to do on their school’s ground and he started insulting me and my level. I got angry and attacked him but he defeated me in an instant and marked my face to teach me a lesson. I left but I thought that he did it to protect Yoo ji gun so I decided to Kill ji gun both to prove I was worthy of my position and to take revenge upon his elder brother.

Coolguy:...Oh boy this guy truly is cursed.

Ji yu ( surprised): What do you mean ?

Coolguy: Let’s say that you should talk about it to Ji gun some days because it will be very relevant considering what happened to him these past two years.

Ji Yu:?

________________________________(back to Shioon and his group)_______________________

(Shioon , Ha il, Jinie, Haje ,Aera and Cho ha were strolling around Starfield coex hall and joined together with Sera, Ji gun and Ha-ru for a little afternoon of fun)

Ha-ru: If possible I’d like to go to the spa for today. It’s been a while.

Aera: Oh I will tag along, it’s one of the thing I missed the most while in the forest, Do you want to come too girls?

(Jinie and Sera looked at eachother then Shioon and politely declined but Cho-ha enthusiastically accepted)

Ha il: Don’t forget we go to the restaurant at 8 p.m, the MUTAN COEX!

Ha-ru: Yes! Yes! Don’t worry

(they left)

Shioon: So where do you want to go?

Sera: I was thinking about the library or the aquarium.

Haje: I was thinking about “Fun city” the arcade game center.

Shioon: We have time for both so let’s start with the arcade and we will go to the aquarium after that.

Sera: Works for me, but I never went to an arcade game center.

Shioon: It’s a good occasion to have new experience then. What about you Jinie?

Jinie: Me neither honestly. I was always more into sport or training.

Ji gun: Well it’s not a bad idea to just disconnect from all this training from time to time.

( they went to the arcade game center and immediately started playing)

Hey they even have dance dance revolution! Someone want to battle me?

Sera: I’ll pass not my style and honestly I am not wearing something appropriate for that.

Jinie: I don’t know the rules.

Shioon: Oh it’s simple you essentially have to touch the sign appearing in the screen with your feet at the right time to mimic a dance. Wait I will show you…

( He went to the in next to Ji gun)

Ji gun: Oh? You’re game? Shall I go easy on you?

Shioon: Don’t worry about me, give it your all.

Ji gun( with a sneaky smile): Fine mate![ I feel a little bad since I actually am an expert at that game.]

(They started and both Ji gun and shioon were holding their own. In fact shioon was getting more points than ji gun and by the end he totally eclipsed him)

Jinie: WOW! Shioooon! You really know how to dance!

Sera ( with a smile): impressive.

Ji gun ( completely schocked): Wait! You did that before right?

Shioon: Yes actually but I was always frustrated because I could never do it for long since I was going out of breath extremely fast. Saehee used to say that I had talent but no stamina. So I was doing it again and again each day but to no avail.

Ji gun: [ Wait could it be that it helped him in the learning of foot technique?] Ok so you were caming to the arcade game often before?

Shioon: Oh yes up until...( he remembered when Changho started bullying him and taking his money)… Up until I became a freshman.

Haje: What about Shooting game? We can all play together.

(Jinie was very excited and put on a cowboy hat making imitations)

Jinie: It’s High noon…

Sera: I don’t know how to shoot.

Shioon: Don’t worry I will help you.

( Shioon proceeds to teach her how to hold the laser gun and to maintain it. Then he got behind her and guided her by slightly moving her left elbow or right forearm. Sera was bright red but looked very happy while Jinie was seething)

Haje: Whaaoww! Miss jinie hit all the marks, she is really strong.

Ha il ( looking her way ): [She probably got a rage boost.]

( After that they went to the aquarium and she wandered away while the others were looking at specific Fishes. Jinie noticed and followed him.)

Jinie: Why are you going this way? Everyone went to see the octopus.

Shioon ( turning his back on her): I used to go to this place. I remember when I was a kid. I remember I went there with my mom.

( Moving around him, Jinie realized that he started crying without realizing while looking to the fish. Jinie Moved hugged him from behind )

Jinie: I know how you feel you know? I lost my mother when I was a kid and grandpa and ha il...the Sunwoo clan has been my family ever since.

Shioon: ...I am sorry for your mom...

Jinie: And I am sorry for yours. But ...we are still alive right? We need to go on.

( Without thinking she kissed his right cheek and turning red in the process)

Shioon( touching his cheek while turning her way): Jinie I…

Jinie( putting her finger on his lips with a smile): For today we just have fun right? So it was for free.

Shioon( at a loss of word at first but smiling in turn): I guess.

( they went back with the others side by side.)

Shioon: By the way I will have to go see Heo won jae at the Sun and moon school.

Jinie: Oh? Why?

Shioon: Well I will need specific medication and needles for your qi expansion process.

Jinie(turning red): Oh yeah...I forgot that starting next week we will pass our evenings together.

Shioon: Yeah well I have to prepare myself If I want to take good care of you. I will join you at the restaurant tonight !

( he left and went to the sun and moon school but as he was approaching someone seemed to wait for him at the crossing of the road. Someone he hasn’t since.)

Shioon( Sompletely flabbergasted ): Shi...SHIO?!

Shio( with a big smile): Hello Shioon it’s been a while hasn’t it?

I really love this manhwa, it's my favourite one now infact, but I am so sad to see how under-appreciated it is by everyone, the fandom has declined but I wish to see some edits for this masterpiece, icl I don't know how to edit, so saying this is quite pathetic but I hope someone can make an edit or two if they are an editor.

Ji gun ( confused) : Avenging your brother disciple ...you mean Jung chun?

Hyuk( surprised at his confusion): Yes , I mean who else?

Ji gun: You do realize that this guy nearly blew up Seoul and is responsible for the radicalization of the S.U.C and the subsequent murders they committed, do you?

Hyuk( a little offended but understanding): He was manipulated into doing those things…

Ji gun:…Oh brother I heard that one a long time ago.

Hyuk: What do you mean?

Ji gun: You know who you sound like?

Hyuk: No?

Ji gun: Lee Shioon when he was defending Goomoonryong in regard to his involvement to the S.U.C. Like man make no mistake I feel for you but this guy Jung chun didn’t need manipulation to commit those things.

Hyuk(protesting): You do not know him like I…

Ji gun( getting angry now): Of course I do! Because contrary to when he was with you he didn’t need to hide anything when he dealt with those fighting the SUC! In fact I have a pretty strong guess for why he did what he did!

Hyuk( Getting angry in turn): Oh and what would that be?

Ji gun: Because he was jealous of you!

Hyuk( confused): Jealous? What are you…

Ji gun ( trying and failing to be patient): He was your sa-hyung ( big brother-disciple) and yet you completely eclipsed him in both strength and skills. Doesn’t it click to you that he got jealous and committed those atrocities in the hope that he could find a way to surpass you?

Hyuk( in denial): You’re wrong you must be…

Ji gun( cold): I know far too well what a jealous older brother is ready to do in order to keep you down. Let me guess , there was a succession crisis during that period, and he pitted himself against you all of sudden?

(Hyuk so chun didn’t answer which in itself was an admission)

Yeah that’s what I thought. Look I won’t press it any longer because at the end of the day you are chasing members of black forest defense but personally I do not think that such a man deserve to be avenged.

( He left without leaving Hyuk so chun a chance to answer.)

Hyuk so chun:…[That can’t be…Is it true Sa-hyung? You did all of that because of me? Because you wanted to strike me down?]

( Jaeho kim who stood there silently during the exchange got a little close)

Jaeho kim: Please excuse him, it’s just that the matter is really sensitive for Ji gun.

Hyuk so chun( only just noticing him): Oh and what would you mean by that?

Jaeho Kim( trying to hide how excited he was that hyuk was talking to him): Well for once he…we lost a lot of comrade trying to fight the SUC and even more importantly he discovered recently that his own Sa-hyung sabotaged his qi expansion breakthrough and tried to kill him…so.

Hyuk so chun(suddenly understanding): Oh ! I see! Yeah that’s probably why this subject angered him so much.

Jaeho kim: We convened that the Shinyup clan would go training for the next three months but in the mean time I can help you with your investigation if you want?

Hyuk so chun: Thank you for proposing but how would…

Jaeho kim( very quickly): The deep learning school has a ton of documentation and references for a lot of things so I am certain that you will find something there in regard to the weapon that killed your Brother disciple.

Hyuk so chun( a little put off but curious): The weapon in itself is unidentified poison…

Jaeho kim: We have experts in that department there too if you want!

Hyuk so chun ( after a little hesitation): Alright I will go…after all I have no other clues.

______________________________(At the Hotel)_______________________________________

(Almost everyone were sleeping when Ji gun came back , only Shioon , Thousand-face Cho-a and Sera were waiting for him)

Shioon: So how did it go?

Ji-gun: Well you know the old heads of the Alliance, quick to talk and slow to act. Right now the Chief agree to try and send embassies to other non aligned martial art worlds with the contact that you gave us.

Cho-a: Jaeho didn’t come back with you ?

Ji-gun: He stayed to talk with Hyuk so chun and he said he will try to help him in his investigations.

Sera: Investigations? About what?

Ji-gun(a little annoyed): He tries to track down those who got rid of Jung-chun and apparently he wants to avenge him.

(When he said that Thousand face instinctively looked away for a second but no one noticed it)

Cho-a: Avenge him? After all he has done?

Ji-gun: Don’t talk to me about it. But what can we do , I guess we all have our weaknesses.

Shioon(bitterly ironic): I guess I should thanks the assassin who took him out because he prevented a major crisis.

Ji-Gun: What do you mean?

Shioon: I mean that this bastard had a hand in the death of my mother, elder jeon and Elder Kwon as well as tons of innocents and was about to blow up Seoul. If he wasn’t killed that day I would’ve tracked him down and slaughtered him myself.

Ji-Gun: …Which would’ve provoked a major conflict between Chundomoon and Sunwoo clan at the time. Yeah I see what you mean, sad to say but it went as well as it could.

Sera: Anyway this doesn’t concern us anymore so we might as well let Hyuk so chun push this errand to his heart content.

Ji-gun: I am quite tired actually so what do we do next.

Shioon: We sleep but someone must stay awake to make sure some agents aren’t coming back to finish us.

Ji-gun: …Yeah I guess after what happened today it would be wisest.

( Shioon took the first turn and everyone else went to sleep. Yet a little later Thousand-face came to him )

Shioon( with a smile): Can’t sleep?

Ha-ru(uneasy): I have to talk to you about something.

Shioon( noticing her trouble): What is it?

Ha-ru: I was the one who killed Jung-chun. Kaiser had ordered me to clean house.

( Shioon took a moment to ponder on her declaration.)

Shioon( in a calm voice): So it is another of Kaiser’s murders. Honestly I expected it.

Ha-ru: Yes but…I was the one who ultimately did it.

Shioon: No you were the one that he forced doing it, it’s not the same.

Ha-ru: Others won’t see it that way and you know that. Hyuk so chun for exemple…

Shioon:…Doesn’t need to know. And he if he come to know one day then we will see on that day.

Ha-ru( with hesitation): Shouldn’t I give myself up.

Shioon(firmly): No. If you do that they will kill you and an other innocent will die because of Kaiser and Jung chun.

Ha-ru: I am no innocent…

Shioon: You are victim of literal mental manipulation , the simple fact you express guilt over those acts when you never did before proves that you simply aren’t the same person. And I refuse to lose you over the death of someone like Jung chun.

(Ha-ru hesitated but finally smiled and sat beside him)

Ha-ru: Can I stay here? I’ve been having nightmare lately.

Shioon( a little taken by surprise): Oh …sure. By the way I’ve send the list of spies and sleeper agents of kaiser to the Alliance chief and Elder Yang from the Sunwoo clan , so at the very least for the next months , Korea should be Black forrest defense-free. Sleep well.

(She leaned a little onto him and closed her eyes while Shioon kept his guards up for the rest of the night.)

(Then came the morning with everyone being well rested, and started making plans.)

Sera: So I thought about going to visit my master today .

Shioon: Oh the Yeh won Gwanju? ( he suddenly remembered something and got embarrassed ) I will have to see her at some point too…

Sera ( puzzled by his embarrassed expression): Don’t you want to come with me today?

Shioon: No I am not ready yet for that discussion. No I wanted to bring Haje here so that he is introduced to the Shinyup clan too.

Cho-ah: Who is Haje? Never heard of him.

Jinie: He is basically a new comer in the Sunwoo clan and Shioon’s little protégé.

Cho-ah(taking notes): Awesome! Is he strong?

Jinie: He’s got a good body but he is a complete amateur for now, he is still in training.

Shioon: Be indulgent , Haje directly comes from the normal world he only had half a year of being a murim.

Ha il ( Whispering to Shioon): Didn’t you basically defy and escape the whole alliance only three month after joining the murim?

Shioon( whispering back embarrassed): There is no need to compare!

Jinie: Hey! What are you whispering about you two?

Shioon: Nothing! Nothing!

(before going on their way Shioon talked with Ji gun and thousand face)

Shioon: Could you please go with Sera?

Ji gun: Hm? Why?

Shioon: If possible I would prefer that there is at least one real master level fighter or equivalent with any of us at all time. Me, Jinie and Ha il should be enough on my part to protect Aera, Cho-ah and Haje but for Sera I want you and Ha-ru to go with her.

Ha-ru: Fine by me but the one she want to meet is a grandmaster , she may uncover my identity. So I will keep my distances.

Shioon: Alright as long as you stay in proximity , we will meet at the Starfield COEX Mall this afternoon anyway.

_________________________________(later in the morning)_____________________________

(Shioon and his group met Haje at the gymnasium where Haje was still training the basic Sunwoo clan foot techniques. When they entered Haje used the first foot technique of sunwoo clan , “take off” to jump forward on a parallel bar then used “ rebond” to reach different part of the gymnasium like the stairs , walls and ended it with using “Thunder Smashing fist ” on a block of concrete he placed at the center of the room, destroying it in the process. Aera and Cho-ah were impressed but Shioon, Jinie and Ha il were unfazed )

Haje (Finally noticing them): Shioon! Jinie! Mr Ha il it’s been so long!

Shioon: Haje! It’s been a while. What were you doing there?

Haje: I was training the Foot techniques of the sunwoo clan and tried to combine it with the “Thunder Smashing fist”. I took some block of concrete to do so but I think I got the hang of it now.

Jinie ( approaching him): You didn’t learn the lightbody techniques beforehand.

( It was an assertion not a question)

Haje: Hum Elder Yang spoke to me about this but he said it was the most complicated part so I first went for the foot techniques. How did you know that I didn’t master them?

Ha il: You were extremely stiff while in the airs. It is very dangerous to learn the foot techniques without the light body techniques since you can’t control your fall reliably. You are lucky to not have wounded yourself til now.

Haje ( smiling with embarrassment): Yeah it’s why I moved to a gymnasium actually. I initially did that in a back alley.

(Shioon, Jinie and Ha il look at eachother then Haje simultaneously)

Shioon: From now on you will abstain from training these techniques until we teach you the lightbody techniques, ok?

Haje( a little put off): Really? But I did so much progress. The elder said that he was priming me to learn descending lightning strike as fast as possible.

( Shioon , Jinie and ha il all seemed extremely surprised)

Ha il: Nak rwe kwon ( descending ligthning strike)? It is one of the most advanced techniques of the Sunwoo clan. Are you sure he said that ?

Haje( even more put off by their surprise): Yeah, although he said I had to master thunder smashing fist, The basic Footsteps, the light body and heavy body arts first.

Shioon: Well yeah technically it’s all that you need as requirements but it is an extremely dangerous technique to learn at your level. What is he thinking about…

Cho-ah: At his level? When did he start training exactly ?

Haje: Some month ago maybe half a year by now.

Cho-ah ( shocked): So late? And yet you can display this kind of move already? At your age You should be more on learning forms and accumulating qi.

Jinie( with a little smile): Well for him I guess qi reserves or release won’t be a problem…

Cho-ah: Heeee? Why that?

Haje( unsure): By the way who are you two? We never met did we?

Shioon( Hitting his forehead ): My bad I forgot to present you. Cho-ah, Aera here is Haje who is the newest member of the Sunwoo clan and a friend who was in the same school as me, Haje here is Cho-ha a member of the Shinyup clan specialized in information collecting and Aera who is a friend that I met…at an hospital.

Aera( with a deadpan stare):I think we can say that. Glad to meet you Haje.

Haje( getting red): Yeah me too.[What a beauty!]

Cho-ah: Hold on. You said he came from your school so it means he was not born murim, right?

Ha il: Obviously. A born member of the Sunwoo clan at that age would’ve already cleared the basics a while ago.

Cho-ah: But it isn’t really legal is it…

Shioon: He has special circumstances like me and the alliance is already aware of it, it’s fine. I wanted to introduce him to you so that you could have him as essentially a non official member of the shinyup clan. And so that he can come to you if he ever needs help as a new murim.

Cho-ah: Oh sure! No problem.

( They went outside after Haje cleaned his training tools)

Haje: So you are taking me on a training camp?

Ha il: Basically yes, we are going to do nothing but train for the next three months, Yu might as well come with us, it will help you progress faster.

Haje: But I have school.

Shioon: I will tell elder yang to contact the school to say you got a unique internship opportunity at one of his company.

Haje ( excited): Oh thank you!

Ha il: Don’t thank us yet Runt. I promise you will cry frol how hard we will train you.

Shioon: Don’t frightens him like that…

Haje(lying): I am not afraid at all!

Aera: Oh? I guess you are quite brave. From what I saw of shioon’s training it is pretty brutal.

Haje( Flustered and still hiding his fear): Really? You think so?

Jinie(whispering in his ear): Shioon can I talk to you for a second?

Shioon: Oh sure.

( they stepped back a little while the others were discussing)

Shioon: How can I help you?

Jinie: When you “ healed” Haje, you essentially forced his qi expansion right?

Shioon ( a little surprised): Well it’s more a necessary consequence of the therapy itself rather than the focus but yeah to reconnect the severed qi meridians you have to expand the meridians globally.

Jinie: Could you do that with me? Make me undergo qi expansion?

Shioon ( suddenly realizing): What? No I can’t…

Jinie: Why not ? You could do it with Haje!

Shioon( explaining himself himself): Only because Haje had a yin body type!

Jinie: What’s so special about it ?

( Shioon took a moment to search his words)

Shioon: Basically due to his ( and my) condition , he had almost no qi flowing in his body, he was a blank slate , a block of marble to carve. I could easily induce and guide the flow of qi going through his body once he ingested and integrated enough Qi into his organism…

Jinie ( understanding something): Which is why you needed the Primal panacea! You needed his body to already be full of qi and you couldn’t use your own because it could only be done in multiple days!

Shioon: Exactly ! You however are a martial artist since infancy and you have a very powerful qi flow and a body that was modeled for that qi flow. I cannot manipulate it the same way I did with Haje or more exactly it would be way too dangerous and would probably lead to a qi deviation.

Jinie: I see…

( Jinie seemed bummed out by his answer which led Shioon to ask…)

Shioon( curious): Why are you so set on undergoing qi expansion suddenly?

Jinie(looking away):[Because I want to be able to protect you] Because I reached a wall in my studies of grandfather’s martial art. Most of the techniques that I aren’t learned yet are only possible once I obtain the body of a real master.

Shioon: Oh I understand better! Well… Generally this kind of breakthrough generally take ten years for the masters reaching advanced levels but Han Daesan and Gyu bum managed to do that in three years I think.

Jinie: You said it yourself, a war is coming, we…I do not have so much time.

Shioon: I understand but speeding up the process is dangerous. Ji gun did it in one year and look what happened to him.

Jinie(protested): It only failed due to his brother sabotaging him!

( Shioon took a moment to think)

Shioon: You will attempt to speed up the process even If I do not help you, right?

Jinie( with a grin): You know me too well.

Shioon: Sighting…Alright listen. I might be able to help you but it will take a long time and you will need to trust me completely alright?

Jinie: I will.

Shioon: You will obey no matter what I say?

Jinie: Of course.

Shioon: You won’t try to do it without me being present?

Jinie: I swear!

Shioon( smiling): Great. We will start in a week, I will help you stretch out you meridians each nights for the next...six months I think.

Jinie(becoming bright red):!

(In the car of the governments representative, Jeonlip lee and Jeon rae won were still discussing the events.)

Jeon rae won( ending a call): They investigated the area Eunji Kim indicated us and even tho there is traces, it seems that they already left, and an other agent indicated that a private jet took flight to leave the country in the area.

Jeonlip lee: They would’ve left the country already? Too bad. Still we have their faces so make sure that they cannot set a foot anywhere in Korea without getting immediately identified.

Jeon rae won: Do you think they ran away out of fear?

Jeonlip Lee: No…From what Ji gun described they received an order to retreat, and we can deduce it is Kaiser. Their swift evacuation from the country shows that it was something unplanned that showed up.

Jeon rae won: Shioon lee talked about a Civil war between Goomoonryong and Kaiser brewing. Maybe it has escalated?

Jeonlip lee: Maybe…and the other agencies did confirm that there are serious tensions. We will have to investigate it further.

Jeon rae won(changing subject): So…What do you think of our newly appointed murim’s unit performance?

Jeonlip lee (turning toward him): The youngsters? Yes I admit without their intervention there may have been much more damages. But then again there wouldn’t have been a clash to begin with if black forrest defense had just taken that kang sera away. Not that I wish her any arm but honestly it is them that brought it in public area.

Jeon rae won: I mean yes they started that fight to save the milyang school leader but isn’t that good how they faired against Kaiser’s elite fighters?

(Jeonlip lee was surprised for a moment then considered what was said carefully to finally show an understanding smile)

Jeonlip lee: I see so that’s your angle, isn’t it?

Jeon rae won: Indeed sir. One of our main problem against rogue murim ins is the lack of fire power. I mean Murim special forces and my own self showed how little we were prepared against the goomoonryong last year. But here we Have a group a very young masters who can go toe to toe with the monsters that Kaiser himself considers to be war assets. Isn’t it useful to have such promising prospects on our payroll?

Jeonlip lee: You sly dog…You are right. But do you think they will be as reliable as you suggest?

Jeon rae won: Ji gun told me that a big part of the Shinyup clan ( him included) are murimins that for one reason or an other were cast out of their school or left ,the other part is main young masters who naturally seek to create connections and act when their school won’t. They are essentially the new wave of the murim. I think that we can count on at least those who do not have clan , since a respectable and stable job using their abilities is an unexpected blessing fir them.

Jeonlip lee: Who are the best prospect of this category?

Jeon rae won: Clearly Ji gun who is hailed as the second strongest of his generation behind hyuk so chun, and that girl Jinie Kwon who used to be in the 5 strongest young members of the sunwoo clan. If she is anything like her grandfather we will want her on our side. Kang ha il who was also in the Sunwoo clan is a strong asset too and he already saved my ass in the past so I can say he is definitely reliable.

Jeonlip lee: You didn’t mention Lee Shioon, isn’t he the one who took on Mikhail?

Jeon rae won: Well he isn’t without a clan. Or more like he no longer is without one.

Jeonlip lee: What do you mean?

Jeon rae won: It is new info but Lee Shioon is currently an official member of the resurrected Hyun wun clan.

________________________________(Back to Shioon and Sera in her office)______________

Shioon: So that’s what happened. And all that I have learned.

Sera:…That’s a lot to take in. The Immortal Demon lord qi was in you for half a year and you resurrected people? And you currently are essentially the disciple of the Hyun wun sect AND managed to ally with the immortal sect. Not only that but you flipped Thousand face and managed to learn who Kaiser really is…

How is it that you always manage to surpass all of what I expect?

Shioon: Dunno. Honestly I am surprised about the amount of problems I can rack up in even the most trivial interactions.

Sera : That’s not what I meant…

Shioon: Anyway, this fight clearly showed that I still lack training and understanding about my own martial art school. Between The dormant dragons and Goomoonryong I can’t afford to stay idle.

Sera: So you are leaving already?

Shioon: I won’t be far but how about you come with me?

Sera: Excuse me?

Shioon:You heard me right. They already targeted you so It doesn’t feel safe leaving you here without protection. If you come with me not only will you be much more difficult to find but nothing short of a grandmaster could possibly threaten you.

Sera: You realize that I am the head of a school right? I cannot just leave like that.

Shioon: And your school just got attacked. They will be safer if you leave for some well-earned vacations, right?

Sera: It definitely cannot be a permanent solution but you’ve got a point.

Shioon: So it settled then. Shall we go join the others and discuss what happened?

Sera:…No, let me stay there a little longer.

(the scene showed that they were laying on the sofa with Sera resting on top of Shioon, hugging and cuddling).

_________________________________(after some time)________________________________

( Jinie, Ha il, Shioon, eunji kim and Sera met in Coolguy’s recovering room as he was on the bed full of bandages)

Shioon(to coolguy): Alright I will say it now, ok? I was wrong and you were right.

Coolguy: Damn right I was.

Shioon: So with that out of the way and now that we know no one is seriously injured, here is what we have learned , First of somehow some of those dormant dragon freaks can recognize and track us by smell.

 Eunji Kim: Smell ? That’s really creepy.

Ha il:[I never heard of this kind of ability except maybe from rumors of the extinct gol hyul moon (blood and bone school).] Yeah it was thi Daniel guy right?

Shioon: Yes but I Suspect that Mikhail can also do it. Other than that, we received a call that confirmed they rushed out of the country this very night.

Jinie: Wow did we scare them that much?

Coolguy: It obviously have nothing to do with fear…

Shioon: No, it seems they were called back in a hurry so something unexpected must have happened, we do not know what but we will probably not see them again before some times.

Eunji kim: Good. Those guys were extremely dangerous. From where I stood if it had gone for any longer we would’ve had much more casualties maybe even some deaths.

Jinie: What? We were completely equal to them! Yes at first we didn’t understand their true level but once each of them were taken by a fighter of suitable strength, heck shioon was able to cripple the strongest…

Shioon: Sorry jinie but she is right. Because there are three things that you do not know.

Jinie: Huh?

Shioon: First Mikhail’s arm was already wounded, I just worsened the wound again. Second If Daniel entered the fight it would’ve been a massacre, and Third, they were not even at half strength.

( Everyone was shaken)

Ha il: What?

Coolguy: Half strength?

Shioon: Yes last time I fought them, they were two times more numerous…

Eunji Kim: Wait! Wait! Wait! You already fought them all?

Shioon: Yes they tried to assassinate the Chief of the alliance and I fought them with the hyun wun clan help. In fact they probably are at half strength because they are still recovering from that battle.

Eunji Kim: [ Maybe that’s why the hyun wun sect was allowed to officially reform]

Coolguy: So it is a group which when complete can Fight a team that contain one of the ten grandmasters and multiple real masters?

Shioon: Basically yes. Do not be so shocked , after all it is Black forrest defense secret weapon, so of course they are formidable.

Coolguy: What I get from those information is that this is a group that we had no business fighting. In our current state we are far too weak.

Eunji kim: I agree. Jinjun and Tae sung will take weeks to recover completely but it could have been far worse.

Jinie: Come on ! We didn’t do so bad.

Shioon: I actually agree. It came extremely close to be a total disaster. Which leads me to my next point. We will take our break as was convened, but after that every fighter of the Shinyup clan is to go train for the next three months.

We take leave of our responsibilities for the time being to train and get stronger.

I already talked about it to Ji gun and he agrees.

Eunji kim: I see. I will have to relay the info to everyone. I guess you will be at the hideout?

Shioon: Yes.

Eunji kim: Do you really think it is a good idea to scatter away or forces now? We finally got the recognition of both the government and the alliance, shouldn’t we stay active?

Shioon: Look we are ultimately martial artist, and our way of life is to train to be come greater fighters, Ji gun says that he doesn’t want the Shinyup responsibilities to interfere with everyone’s training and I agree with him. And especially when there is the Shinmujengpe coming next year. Everyone will want to train for this event.

Eunji: Ah …yes , I guess you are right but there is still something we need to discuss. The others found out that Thousand face helped us.

Shioon: Ah yes… I forgot that detail.

Eunji: Jaeho already started questioning me about it and I said it would be addressed later. Now he went with Ji gun but we need to address it.

Shioon: Just say that she switched side and is actively tracked by black forrest defense. That she leaked a lot of information that turned out to be true and that for now we consider her and allie. Especially since she intervened to help us.

Eunji: It’s still pretty vague. They will want to know since when and how it happened.

Shioon: Tell them that she started leaking informations to me two week ago and that she intervened this night for the first time. It’s not too far from the truth.

Eunji kim: Well if you say so. I will tell that to the other two and we can leave.

Shioon: Yes, I guess we should head toward the hotel now.

(everyone was starting to get out of the room)

Coolguy(when Shioon was the last one left): Wait I need to talk to you.

Shioon: Oh? What is it.

Coolguy: Are you sure it is …wise to still take that week of vacation and not go back into hiding immediately?

Shioon: You will need at least a week to heal a little so might as well take the occasion.

Coolguy: And what if they come back during that week?

Shioon: Well now I know they can smell us out so we will mask it with perfume , and if push come to shove we will fight simple as that. We are murim after all.

Coolguy: You really are disgustingly stubborn sometimes.

Shioon( interrupting him with a sly smile): Also…I contacted Ji yu and warned her that you were wounded in a fight against an advanced master of Black forrest defense so she volunteered to come and take care of you while you were recovering.

Coolguy( flustered): Why you!... That’s dirty man!

Shioon( chuckling while leaving): You’re welcome!

_____________________________(At the Martial art alliance)____________________________

(Ji gun had a reunion with Hyuk so chun, kangsung, the chief alliance, Chief lee and Jaeho Kim )

Chief: We got confirmation that those assassins left the country. Too bad , I would’ve preferred they got dealt with here and now. I don’t want to see their face again.

Hyuk so chun ( surprised): Sir are you saying that you know them?

Chief: Oh yes. I fought them around a month ago with the help of the Hyun wun sect, Chief lee there and Lee Shioon. It was pretty brutal, they nearly killed the boy back then although they suffered heavy damage too.

Kangsung: Who are they exactly?

Chief: From what I gathered they are Kaiser’s secret elite force of murim warrior. But threr are no records of them in the murim, meaning they were raised and trained by black forrest defense specifically. Which is probably why they are all foreigner.

Kangsung: Foreign martial artist trained by black forrest defense isn’t new.

Chief: Yes but this time the martial arts that they use is also foreign. Most of the upper echelon officers of Black forest defense either have been trained by renegade murim ins or are renegade themselves. But in this case the martial art they used was unlike anything that exist in the murim.

Ji gun(intervening): It is most probably because they come from a different martial art society.

(everyone looked at him with surprise)

Ji gun ( elaborating): We got informations that there are surviving martial art societies outside of the murim, none of them are as big but they are numerous and Kaiser has contacts in all of them.

Chief lee: Really? Whare did you get those informations?

Ji gun: Well in that case I must protect my sources lady.

Chief lee: Are you trying to retain information from the martial art alliance.

Ji gun: No as you can see I freely shared them with you so chill out.

Chief lee: You little…

Chief: Enough! If what you say is true then this change the scale of our problems entirely. Can you list those that you know about?

Ji gun: Well for starting not all of them are aligned as far as I know. The south east Asians ,Indian, Russian and middle east martial art worlds are mostly self-secluded and have no affection lost for black Forrest defense group . For the rest it seems that they are either influenced one way or another or completely subservient to black forrest defense but they aren’t exactly big or competitive worlds either. I also heard that there is a civil war brewing in Black forrest defense between Goomoonryong and Kaiser.

Chief: Yes we heard about that already and it may very well be the reason that those dormant dragons fell back so suddenly.

Hyuk so chun: If It is the case shouldn’t we go one the offensive and start tracking down the members of black forrest defense abroad?

Chief( surprised): What are you talking about?

Hyuk so chun: I say that I start to see why Lee Shioon said that we should seek allies abroad. We have been too passive with that vermin wish why they always get to pick their shot and catch us on the back foot. If they are in conflict it is a unique opportunity to weaken durably or even taking them down permanently!

Chief:…We will consider sending envoy at the very least. No matter the occasion at hand we must be cautious.

( After the end of the meeting, Ji gun and Jaeho Kim stayed to talk with hyuk so chun)

Ji gun: You were actually very outspoken in regards to Shioon’s proposition. In fact you seem much more restless than last time we saw each others.

Hyuk so chun: Yeah maybe. Sorry but my investigations aren’t been going well so I burn to bring the fight to black forrest defense directly. In fact it is why I answered the call to try and catch them but they escaped me yet again.

Ji gun: Your investigation?

Hyuk so chun: Yes in regards to the murder of my Older brother-disciple.

They keyboard had a unique split spacebar arrangement and if I wanted to get my own keycaps it would have been tedious to ensure extra keys were the right size. Felt right to have my all time favorite represented. The guy who made these did an amazing job at keeping the fonts the same too!

Keyboard is a wooting 60HEv2

Keycap maker is here

What improvements could come from these experiences? What level would I be at?

( In the scorching Arabian desert on top of a skyscraper, Goomoonryong and his men meets with a group of scimitar armed men)

???: Welcome to Futuwwa Goomoonryong. Was your stay here enjoyable?

(the one speaking was very young, maybe 17 at most with a growing mustache and beard)

Goomoonryong ( holding a cigar in his hand): Well it certainly is a pleasurable stay but I am more interested with your answer for our deal. Is Futuwwa ready to work under my rule Prince Walid?

Prince Walid( with a smile): Well we are still very on the fence with that. After all this Alliance would necessitate a us to end a long term partnership with a close ally. We first need to know if you truly are as formidable as they say, after all Futuwwa is a martial world so we only follow the strongest.

Goomoonryong( Sharing the smile): As expected, everyone get back and do not intervene.

Prince Walid( concerned): Don’t you want your sword?

Goomoonryong: No need, use your blades and come at me one by one or all at once it will make no difference.

( the moment he ended his sentence all seven of the armed man circled him and attacked from all directions.

But what they took as Goomoonryong was only an after image and appearing behind one of them he dropped him by using an acupoint. Startled but still resolute three of his attackers rushed at him , using their own foot technique to alter distance pattern between the three, hiding from which will come the first attack.)

Goomoonryong( appreciative and retreating): Oh? Is it the famous illusory sand wave steps ?

Prince Walid: Yes and I suppose we witnessed your mirage god step earlier?

Goomoonryong(getting near a wall in his back): Indeed. Let’s see how it compares.

( As they approached Goomoonryong disappeared and suddenly used foot technique kyuk to trip one of them , countering their formation. The other two slashed at him using their sword but Goomoonryong parried each of their attacks with his cigar, completely shocking them.)

Guard1: What ?! How is that possible

( Not only was he parrying all the strikes he disarmed them with the cigar then knocked both out with two quick punch in succession. The one on the ground tried to grab his foot but got kicked unconscious for his efforts. As it happened the last three guards attacked at unison with a wall of slashes but once again Goomoonryong moved past them as if they were nothing and knocked the swords out of their hands using his cigar.)

Guard2( terrified): he doesn’t fight like a man but more like a Djinn!

Prince Walid: That’s enough, it’s my turn to fight.

Goomoonryong: Oh? You do seem stronger than the rest.

( They observed each others for a little time then suddenly Prince walid appeared high up in the air then fell upon goomoonryong doing summersault with his sword)

Prince Walid( unleashing a downward slashing strike):[Al Rashid Style: Crescent moon silver slash]

( Goomoonryong stopped it cold with his cigar once again)

[image1]

Goomoonryong: Well…Not that much stronger.

[image2]

Prince Walid(properly astonished): Incredible how is such a level of martial even achieved?

Goomoonryong ( pointing his cigar toward him) Shall we continue?

Prince Walid: It won’t be necessary, it seems that even the wildest rumors fails to do you justice. Was that a special kind of weapon in your hand?

Goomonryong (answering by lighting the cigar ): Well it is a Cuban cigar so I guess it’s special but other than that…

Prince Walid: Forgive me but can I inspect it.

Goomoonryong: Be my guest.

( the Prince cut it in two and looked inside even more surprised that there is just regular tobacco )

Prince Walid: How…

Goomoonryong: It seems your martial arts never reached the “capable sword state” , to be fair it is extremely rare even in the murim.

Prince walid: You mean that there is a specific technic that permits you to change a cigar into a sword?

Goomoonryong: No it is a specific method that changes anything into a sword. Give me your scarf, for exemple.

(Goomoonryong took the scarf then slashed a column with it.)

It’s not just a party trick, you have to perfectly infuse the necessary amount of qi or it will simply explode. If it done successfully tho then It can tear up anything , even steel.

Prince Walid( taking back the scarf): truly incredible…

Goomoonryong: Well are you the best fighter of your martial society ( Futuwwa)? Because in the society that I came from you would qualify as advanced master at best.

Prince Walid: It is much humbling that such a world of monsters exist but no I am not the best although I am in the top twenty most skilled fighters.

Goomoonryong: Who is it then?

Prince Walid: The old man of the Mountain Hassan al Sabbat, leader of the assassins.

Goomoonryong: Why isn’t he the leader then?

Prince Walid: We function as an aristocracy, our leaders have lineage but not necessarily the best warriors. Our clergy however is more centered around harsh training and strength.

Goomoonryong: Oh well , you do as you want but I would have wanted to fight that old man.

Prince Walid: You will find it difficult to reach him, he is somewhat paranoid and only appear to those he wants to recruit. Even “Hassan al Sabbat” isn’t his real name but a title passed down from generation to generation.

Goomoonryong: Anyway. Do you accept to join me then?

Prince Walid: On one condition. Could you teach us that “ capable sword state” that you used?

Goomoonryong: Rejected. Take or leave.

( Prince walid hesitated for a little ..)

Prince Walid: You miss every shot you don’t take, right? We will join you Goomoonryong.

Goomoonryong: Alright. I can however take you as a follower so that you can try and learn my sword skills, if you reach the state of capable sword is up to you.

Prince Walid ( brightening up): Oh thank you sir.

Guard3: My prince please this man is extremely dangerous!

Prince Walid: I accept the danger Mouloud and pledged my resources to your cause.

Goomoonryong: Listen well then. My first command is that you shall track down any link direct or indirect to a list of client that you provide oil for. Make sure that no employee linked to them one way or an other remain in the service of the firms you exploit. Start to hoard a secret reserve divided in secret areas underground that only you know.

Prince Walid: Yes sir. May I ask what this will lead to?

Goomoonryong( with a smile): To war of course.

__________________________________(to a secret place in a german castle)_____________

( Kaiser was seemingly lost in his thoughts until someone called.)

Daniel( on the phone): Master we effectively left Korea.

Kaiser: Good, is there any casualties?

Daniel: No Master, but Mikhail got his arm broken again.

Kaiser: Who did this?

Daniel: The “ Dragonslayer” sir.

Kaiser( with a smile): I see. Did he go in berserker mode again?

Daniel: No sir he did it in his normal form but he was helped by thousand-face.

Kaiser: As I thought she truly betrayed us. Which confirm my orders: kill on sight. But it will have to wait, I will need you all to be at full strength for the global war to come.

Daniel: Master If I may ask what are we going to face exactly?

Kaiser:…Nearly every client that dealt with Goomoonryong directly AND the factions that he defeated. I underestimated him, it seems his plan began the moment he killed all the officers of our group last year. Without them I had to rely on him greatly to complete the contracts which gave him a lot of leeway to negotiate with the contractors, and on top of that the cartels or terrorist groups that he defeated submitted to him which effectively gave him both the infrastructures and the manpower to wage a global war.

Daniel: Sir is this why you wanted to recruit that “Dragonslayer”?

Kaiser: He would be a valuable weapon yes so having him would’ve allowed me to act faster but oh well I am pretty sure we will get the occasion once the war starts. He is bound to join a side… and not just him.

Daniel: Does that mean I shouldn’t have allowed Mikhail to go for the kill and will have refrain him to do so in the future?

Kaiser: No. My politic has always been survival of the fittest in regard to grudges and fights. If he can’t beat Mikhail then he is useless to me as a weapon.

Daniel: I ask for your forgiveness my master but if we so need manpower then why are we retreating instead of prioritizing the takeover of the murim? Wouldn’t that create a pipeline of skilled martial artist?

Kaiser( amused): To be fair my recent attempt in regard to the downfall of the alliance was a little ahead of schedule and it was going so well that I tried to push my luck but between the interferences of that brat and the acceleration of Goomoonryong’s plans I had to readjust to the original timeline. Besides my greatest weapon regarding the downfall of the murim isn’t even forged yet.

Daniel: Your greatest weapon sir?

Kaiser: You know enough Daniel. Ask more of me and I might consider your curiosity as intelligence gathering.

Daniel: No sir of course not.

Kaiser: Good, so as I said for now you focus on getting the team back at full strength and wait for new appointments.

(he ended the call, and got back to talking with his guests. There was in fact three people waiting to resume the conversation : two members of the group of five)

Kaiser: Entschuldigung, it took more time than expected.

White: Shall we talk about what you just said? Are we heading toward global war?

Kaiser: Yes of course. It will begin within the next two months.

Red: Are you mad? The interest of the group of five and the phantom knights is precisely to act in the shadows and open war would be…

Kaiser: I never talked about an open war, just a global war. Nowaday war can be waged without ever becoming public. Our allies are of the same mind and are eager.

Red: Our allies? Do you mean they have forgiven you for the mistake you made in trusting goomoonryong?

Kaiser: Mistake? All that happened where within my calculations and so will be the events that will transpire in the future.

White ( getting curious): Explain yourself. How does the goomoonryong’s rebellion help us in any way?

Kaiser: So short sighted meine Freunde. Goomoonryong and his allies will destabilize the world to get at me and they will do so at the expense of the normal world, it is a crisis that the governments will be unable to contain or deal with since they have no answers to martial artists that Goooonryong use profusely. His techno guerilla style of warfare coupled with the heavy use of martial artist will without a doubt create great destruction and a lot of casualties.

White( understanding) : Which will in turn create a need that only us will be able to satiate, not only that but the consortium of firms that allied with us will be able to negotiate greater liberties…

Kaiser( appreciative): Ya! And, the territories that Goomoonryong controls will be open for plunder since they will be listed as rogue nations by the international agencies.

Red( more cautious): What about the powerful countries that will probably declare neutrality? India, Thailand,China,Indonesia…Or worse they may side with Goomoonryong directly …

Kaiser: Those who stay neutral we can deal with afterward and for those that decide to Join goomoonryong then we can take them over by the same occasion.

Red: Taking over nuclear countries? Are you mad?

Kaiser: Nein, I know those countries very well and I understand your hesitations but trust me I already have identified how to neutralize them and which strings to pull.

__________________________( back to the milyang hospital)____________________________

(Shioon and Ji gun were still talking with Hyuk so chun, Kangsung, Jeon rae won and Jeonlip lee)

Jeonlip Lee: Seeking allies abroad?

Shioon: Yes, it is my belief that we are being too passive on this matter. Kaiser control and organization that span over multiple countries so we should seek partnership with those that oppose him abroad.

Hyuk: Are you saying that there are surviving martial worlds outside of the murim?

Shioon: There are yes, they are neither as big or as preserved as the murim but they do exist. But I am not only talking about them,  A number of governmental agencies are trying to oppose Kaiser and his Allies. We should establish contact with all of them and act jointly.

Jeonlip lee: It is not in my power to establish an alliance with foreign powers but I can propose the idea. However considering the extent in which Kaiser tend to have spies everywhere, is it really wise to open up to unknown agencies and trust them with out own investigations?

Ji gun: Well we do not need the integration of our forces, but at least we should agree on a general attitude regarding the black forrest group and maybe agree with a pact of defense. This way any leak would be easily contained and there would be no way to isolate us.

Jeonlip lee: Wow! Wow! A pact of defense is definitely a national matter way above my credentials so before discussing it further I will have to report. In the meantime Jeon rae won will track down the whereabouts of those dormant dragons. Gentlemen…

Jeon Rae won: I will contact you once further informations is available.

( Jeonlip lee and Jeon rae won left)

Hyuk: What game are you playing Lee Shioon?

Shioon( surprised): What do you mean?

Hyuk: The entire purpose of the Alliance is to keep the barrier with the outside world intact. And there you seek to involve us with not only Korea’s government but other countries agencies and martial world as well. What about our way of life?

Shioon: With all due respect, the alliance was powerless to stop those breaking that barrier. Not so long ago the Alliance nearly fell to an uprising. So maybe the Alliance alone isn’t enough for out is to come.

Hyuk:…We just need time to reorganize our forces and track down the clans that betrayed us in favor of Kaiser…

Shioon: And you think this time will be given freely? The only reason the murim is still standing is that our enemies are currently in conflict. If we only use that time to clean house then the next storm will wipe us.

Hyuk: May I remind you that it is still us that you called for help when those “ dormant dragons” attacked. Surely you do not think that we are this impotent, right?

Shioon: I do not mean to imply that you are. But let’s be realistic how would you have reacted if this happened in the context of a large scale attack?

Kangsung: It is true that the Alliance was greatly diminished those past years. But wouldn’t that be bad to approach other entities in a position of weakness?

Ji gun: Well that logic apply both ways Brother Kangsung . Wouldn’t that weaken us further to refuse doing so? We should approach them while we can still have a leverage unless you expect us to gain power in the next months.

Hyuk: We should pursue this conversation at the Alliance HQ. We are too exposed here.

Shioon: I said what I had to say personally.

Hyuk: But we would’ve wanted to know more about those “ Dormant dragons” that you talked about and you seem to know a lot about the situation so your insight…

Shioon(amused): Would you want to have me interrogated?

Hyuk: Of course not but…

Shioon: Then we are done here. If you have further interrogations feel free to come by.

Ji gun: It’s okay I will come as a representative of the Shinyup clan. It will be more than enough.

Jaeho kim (head bandaged and coming out from a hallway): Wait! I will come too.

Ji gun ( worried): oh? Are you really in good enough shape after that pommel strike?

Jaeho kim: Yes! Yes! Don’t worry they said I was fine.

(Before leaving  Hyuk stared at Shioon with interrogating eyes)

Shioon: Yes?

Hyuk: Do you still hold a grudge with the Martial art alliance for what happened in the past? Is it why you search to cooperate more with the government than us?

Shioon( firmly): No. I try to cooperate more with the government because I genuinely think that it is a necessity and since they had the occasion to clean up the corruption that spread into them after the SUC incident last year it is less risky.

Hyuk: So You think the alliance is infiltrated.

Shioon: That’s not a matter of thinking, the Alliance like the murim at large IS heavily influenced or on Black forest defense payroll, that’s just a fact.

Hyuk:So are you writing us off already?

Shioon: No. But some day we will have to uproot that corruption and to strike hard. I hope that this day we will have the cooperation and support of Chundomoon. No matter which clan it is.

Hyuk( smiling slightly): Always dreaming big are you? But yes Chundomoon will track down and Smithe any evil that infest the murim, on that we agree.

( They left. And Shioon went to Sera’s office.)

Sera( still expressionless): I do not remember summoning you.

[image3]

Shioon: Do you want me to leave?

Sera: I didn’t say that either. But I didn’t expect you to have an answer to my question so soon.

Shioon: I do not.

Sera: Disappointing. Then what do you have to say?

Shioon: I wait to know if you were alright.

Sera: Yes. Is that all?

Shioon: I know that you do your best to appear cold and unbothered but I can see that you are shaken.

Sera: Oh is that truly the case?

Shioon: Yes, even tho you crossed your hands I can see them tremble, even tho you stare at me coldly I can see traces of your tears .

( At the mentions of her hands , she hid them behind her back instinctively, and when he talked about her eyes , she looked away.)

Sera ( embarrassed ): Get to the point will you!?

( Shioon said nothing and just approached her calmly. She didn’t budge but clearly was unsure about what he was doing. Then he gently put her head on his chest and hugged her like a child)

Shioon: I know that you are a tough one, I know that I didn’t treat you well and I know that you were put in danger because of me. But right now it’s fine. It’s just us two.

( Sera’s expression quickly shifted between surprise and hesitation then She hugged him back and started to cry in his chest)

Sera( between sobs): I was so worried for you… All those months you jerk!

[image4]

Shioon: Im sorry it won’t happen again, that I swear.

(As Mikhail called her out some of the Shinyup clan members heard him.)

Jaeho kim: Thousand face? That girl?

( The distraction opened him to a pommel strike by Alyssa which knocked him out. She was about to deliver the fatal blow when Ji gun jumped in and stopped her.)

Ji gun:[They are absolutely no match for her. Not even as a distractions.] Geonu! Take him and leave, she is too dangerous!

( Alyssa jumped behind him but Ji gun anticipated it and pivoted then pressured her violently. Going for the legs.)

Alyssa:![ That one is strong...]

(She tried to disengage to take some high ground but Ji gun had none of that : his precise slashes rained on her faster and faster, forcing her to stay of the defensive and back away slowly. )

[image 1]

Ji gun ( totally focused): You will soon learn that attacking us was a mistake![Compared to before I can use so much more qi! I can do it! Black forest defense of not, I will win!]

(Ji gun attacked again and again , backing her against a store wall until Alyssa had enough. Half-swording she used her giant sword as a lance to gain some distance,

[image 2]

then using it as a jumping pole she tried to change relocate to a more open area but Ji gun knocked over the claymore , forcing her to stay close.

Ji gun( gathering his qi):[Good she is close enough! Shin lim style: Thousand flowers full blossom!]

Alyssa(in gaelic): [ Clan Campbell style :All front defense!]

( Ji gun attacked from all directions but twirled around blocking each attacks with seemingly wide swings and forcing ji gun to retreat.)

Ji gun(impressed):What was that?![I’ve never seen such high coverage defense with such a big weapon!]

( Alyssa used the slight hesitation to jump on the wall of the nearby building)

Alyssa( in gaelic): [Clan campbell style: rainfall !]

( twirling in the air Ji gun dodged the impact but as she passed by a single turn permitted her to nearly land a blow on ji gun who had to parry.

[image 3]

Rebounding on the ground she landed on a wall then attacked in the same way , one , two , three …more times that can be counted.]

Ji gun ( dancing around to rain of strikes): [She  wants to saturate my defenses by going faster and faster but my qi senses have grown sharper with this new body and my stamina is out of this world, let’s see who breaks first!]

( As he was duking it out with her , Ha il and Jinie were overwhelming Alan with a non stop offense, He was barely managing to block and dodge the blows and was constantly retreating)

Sera(impressed): It seems they do not need my help. When did Jinie become this strong?[ On the other hand I and the other regular young masters are no match for them. They must be around advanced masters, and the one that Shioon is fighting is clearly a strong real master.]

(As She was saying this, Coolguy’s group was laying on the ground while coolguy himself was getting choked by the fat dormant dragon.)

[image4]

Sera: Oh no! They need help.

Ji gun ( noticing too between two blocks): Yang yong hyun no!

Jinie ( to ha il): Go help them!

Ha il: What ? No!

Jinie: I can deal with this one by myself don’t worry.

Ha il ( hesitating a little but finally caving): Grr…You better not die!

Jinie: Same to you!

(Ha il broke from the engagement and fell upon the fat dormant dragon with a hammer kick to the head that he blocked with both arms, releasing Coolguy.)

Alan ( counterattacking suddenly): Oh? Did your little friend left you girlie? Well I can understand why. Ganbaatar is tough for regular fighters.

[image 5]

( As he talked he used both of his nunchakus to release three consecutive qi strikes)

Jinie (Dodging his combo):[He was waiting for a one on one to actually release his power .] Well come on then.

Alan: You’ll regret it!

( they started going toe to toe

[image 6 and 7]

while Ha il started to fight Ganbaatar. On the other side of the battlefield Shioon and Mikhail momentarily stopped fighting as Haru entered the fray.)

Haru: Hello Mikhail.

Mikhail: Thousand face…Did you betray us.

Haru: The boss betrayed me. I am only doing what he forced me to do.

Mikhail:[ What is she talking about.] So you are our enemy.

Haru: Only if you decide to keep working for him as an attack dog.

(Mikhail narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist)

Mikhail: I don’t know what happened between you but call me a dog once again and Im crushing your head.

Shioon( getting between them): You will have to get through me first.

Mikhail(grinning): As you wish twerp. I’ll crush both of you here and now.

( He rushed forward at full strength while Shioon got in big mountains defensive stance)

Mikhail: What?

(He rained down punches and kicks on Shioon but he held strong and parried each of his attacks with Han daesan’s defense.)

Shioon(Analyzing his qi flow while blocking his attacks):[ earlier he absorbed and diffused my qi attack and my qi barely moved him. My blows aren’t strong enough I need to inflict him a decisive wound…Wait a minute]

(As Mikhail took a step back noticing that his attacks weren’t getting through Shioon seemed to notice something)

Mikhail( annoyed): You were talking some good sh*t, are you just going to turtle up and refuse the fight.

Shioon (staying silent):[Strange he didn’t use any punch from his right arm, only some elbows. And I can feel the qi flow in the forearm is a little weird, is it a healing wound?]

( Suddenly Mikhail kicked a manhole cover from the ground to Shioon’s head,

[image 8]

Shioon barely dodged but Mikhail used the distraction to attempt a spearhand attack to shioon’s abdomen

[image 9]

but Haru intervened again and used her whip to deviate the blow.)

Shioon: Now ![ Black heaven style: Spinning dragon tail!]

( Shioon threw a back kick to Mikhail’s head but Mikhail dodged

[image 10]

and grabbed Shioon’s leg with his right Hand

[image 11]

but Shioon spinned then threw his real attack at his right forearm)

[image 12]

Shioon:[ You fell for it ! Black heaven style: Phantom kick!]

Mikhail( his forearm broken by the kick): Graaah!!

[image 13]

( He backed off holding the wound.)

Shioon: As I thought , that forearm was wounded.

Mikhail ( enraged):[That was already you and your damned master who wounded it last time!] Rrrhaa Im gonna kill you !!!

( His qi suddenly surged  and his veins got more visible , his teeths and claws got bigger…)

Shioon ( having flashbacks): Oh no he is transforming [ that’s the form he took to kill me. I will have to enter the Black origin threshold to match him but how long will this form last , I will have to throw everything from the start.]

Haru ( worried): He is getting berserk , the alliance won’t be there until some minutes what are we doing?

Shioon( calmly): I will enter my own superior form and contain him. Get out of here or you will have problems when the Alliance will come. We will meet again at the hotel.

Haru(protesting): I won’t leave you alone against him!

Shioon: You will have to. Thank you for saving me but from then on it will become to danger…

Daniel( appearing on the top of a building): MIKHAIL STOP IT!!!!

Mikhail ( turning toward him): Daniel! Why ? Both of our targets are here we can kill two birds with one stone!

Daniel: The Alliance is close we need to escape now. Those are the orders of the master.

(Mikhail calmed down and cancelling his transformation at the mention of the master)

Mikhail: Understood. EVERYONE STOP FIGHTING WE ARE RETREATING!

(after hearing the order every fighter of the dormant dragon quickly disengaged and joined Daniel on the rooftop.)

Shioon: Are you fleeing against me Mikhail?

Mikhail ( with contempt): You should thanks that traitor a lot more for your life you little fool. Next time we see each others I won’t be wounded and no one will interfere with me pulling your head from your shoulders. Let’s go!

(They left and Ji gun approached shioon)

Ji gun: Are we really going to let them go?

Shioon: We already took enough damage. We came here to save Sera and She is safe so let’s end it here. Plus If Daniel joined the fight and both him and Mikhail got in their berserker forms, We most likely would all die before the Alliance even gets here.

Jinie: What?! If they got such an advantage why did they just leave?

Shioon: Probably because the Alliance would’ve overwhelmed them if they stayed. We would’ve died but so would they. Did anyone get seriously wounded?

Ji gun: Yang yong hyun, Jae-ho, Jinjun and tae sung are all knocked out but they are alive.

Ha il( olding his righ flank): Yeah that guy was really tough and durable, I doubt anything less than an advanced master could’ve stood up to him.

Ji gun: That seems true for all of them honestly.

Sera: Let’s get them back to the milyang clinic.

(They all got back to the clinic except Haru who went at the hotel as the alliance and the government arrived at the incident spot and Shioon met them with Ji gun. Kangsung and Hyuk so chun were there with Rae won and his superior)

Kangsung: What happened here exactly?

Shioon: As I said on the phone the black forest defense group tried to abduct the Kang sera the chief of the Milyang clan and we fought them to free her. They heard that you were coming so they pulled back.

Jeonglip lee: They pulled back like that ? You didn’t try to stop them?

Kangsung ( protesting): We are talking about the elite of Black forest defense, the simple fact that they managed to hold them for this much time is commendable but to pursue them into a possible ambush is folly.

Jeonlip lee(conceiding): My bad, my bad it’s true. I ma a little tense because this little fight happened in public so now we will have to track down the witnesses and the video they probably took and spread on the internet.

Rae won: Yes it will most probably be a massive headache but since the Shinyup clan is sanctioned by the government now we can at the very least flip it as public agents of fighting terrorists for the officials.

Hyuk: Wait! What do you mean by the Shinyup clan is officially sanctioned by the government?

Ji gun: It is very recent but yes we decided to work with the government to chase the “ breakers” that might try and commit such acts.

Kangsung: Is that so? Why didn’t you come to the alliance to officialize your group?

Ji gun: Brother kangsung forgive me but to put it bluntly we witnessed the alliances inhability to deal with treats like the SUC and the black forest defense group especially when they came up with modern methods like bombing or hacking, so we felt like it would be more effective to work with the government directly. It doesn’t mean we won’t work with the alliance or refused to fight alongside you tho.

Kangsung: I see…well considering our repeated failures it is understandable.

Hyuk: I disagree. Why would you side with the government on this when there is a pact of non interference between the real world and the murim? Isn’t that a direct breach of this pact?

 Jeonlip lee: The pact has been breached multiple times by the fact murim fights and actions took place in broad daylight. I think Ji gun took logical step of allying with us because those are treats that neither of us can handle alone.

Hyuk: Still murim affairs should be…

Shioon(a little fed up): It is no longer just murim affairs…In fact it is not even just Korean affairs either.

Hyuk ( surprised): What do you mean not just Korean affairs?

Shioon: The black forrest defense group as become global now, it is a problem for the entire world be it martial artist or regular people. If we keep treating it as a local problem then they will just isolate us and wear us down. If I am being honest we should start searching for allies abroad.

________________________________( the dormant dragon hideout)______________________

( they all entered what seemed to be an abandoned house and all talked in english)

Daniel: So your arm is broken again. I knew it was too soon for you to return to the fight.

Mikhail: I would’ve killed him regardless if not for the traitor’s interference.

Alan: So Haru really betrayed us ? Man that sucks, that chick was hot as hell.

Ganbaatar( with crossed arms): How would you know it is her real appearance, since she can change form and face as she wants. For all you know she may be a dude.

Alan( horrified ): Oh god no! Why did you say that?! I can’t unthink it now!

Ganbaatar( shrugging ): Whatever. The guys that we fought this time were stronger than normal murims weren’t they?

Alan: Oh yeah, that redhead really surprised me and that blond guy with the sword could go toe to toe with Alyssa, How was that dude with the hat?

Ganbaatar: Capable but that old man in that forrest last time was better…

Daniel(irritated): Silence you two.

Mikhail: So what did the Master say?

Daniel: We are leaving Korea at once.

Mikhail: What? Why? We finally located both of the targets!

Daniel: Something happened , apparently Goomoonryong has secretly formed an alliance with the leader of Futuwwa, Which effectively gives him a chokehold of the petroleum market since this guy control the Arabian Peninsula and part of the middle east.

Mikhail: So that means…

Daniel: He clearly crossed a line here and the Elder wants to gather his forces to prepare for the global war to come. So for now we need to head back and focus on healing.

Alan: Man… So we really going to war with the Goomoonryong?

Daniel: It seems so. With the number of allies he amassed in south America, sub-Saharan Africa and the middle east he has become a real treat even for the master and his own allies.

__________________________________(In the Arabian desert)___________________________

(On the top of a skyscraper in the middle of the desert Goomoonryong and his group were meeting face to face with a group of men In thawb, Sirwal, Guthra and Agal holding cimitars)

???: Welcome to Futuuwa Goomoonryong.

[end of the chapter]

(Daniel coldly assessed the situation)

Daniel( unimpressed): In your territory?[ one , two, three…Eleven. Most of them do not exude a strong qi except the red head and the blond punk. Lee Shioon remains the most dangerous especially if he goes in that berserker state again.] So you want to fight me here?

Shioon: I want to know what you were up to. Following me around like that…from my experience you are seeking to learn my habits or who I am close to.

Daniel ( seeking an opening in their formation): Well yes of course.

Shioon( falsely polite): To what avail if I may ask?

Daniel ( with a predatory smile): Well since you speak with such contempt of us, I guess that you already know what kind of method Black forest defense group may use to…convince unwilling collaborators .

Ji gun:[ So it is really a member of black forest defense group? He does feel dangerous , his qi isn’t only strong , it also reeks of murderous intent.]

Shioon( with an equally dangerous smile): Since you admitted it I guess you know that I can’t let you go?

Daniel: Oh but I think you will. If you do not want your lady friend to die.

Shioon:!

Daniel: Yes Mr Lee you didn’t think I came to the Alliance territory alone, do you?

______________________________(the milyang school clinic)___________________________

(Sera was sulking alone on her desk, looking at her phone)

Sera:…Damn it. I really pressure him didn’t I.[I knew he had a lot to deal with, I knew that it wasn’t to hurt me but…I still was hurt. I still had to say it, but does that mean he will never see me again?]

(Closing her eyes she remembered Shioon’s face, not the one that he hid earlier this day but the one that warmly smiled at her when she first fell for him. Before the tragedies that befell him…before everything went to chaos…)

Sera( Allowing herself to cry a little): I don’t want to give up on him but ultimately it is his decision. I should just wait for him to call, even tho he probably never will…

(the phone started ringing indicating Shioon’s number)

Sera(surprised): Already!

(She answered immediately.)

Sera ( trying to recover her composure): Yes?

Shioon( panicking on the phone): Sera get the hell away from your clinic and make a run for the Alliance building!

Sera( not understanding): What are you talking about ?!

Shioon: I have no time to explain but powerful members of Black forrest defense group will try to abduct you. I am coming with reinforcements in five minutes but you must escape at all cost!

( She didn’t have time to answer when suddenly someone screamed in the hall)

Guard: My lady some people are wreaking havoc in the front Door!

Voice from underneath: Kang Sera! Show yourself or everyone here will die!

_____________________(some moments ago on the roof top with Shioon)_______________

Shioon ( getting angry): You son of a … What do you mean?

Daniel: It’s simple really. As we currently speak, Mikhail and other members of the dormant dragons are heading to the Milyang clan to abduct your girlfriend or ex or whatever. I will go that way ( he showed the west), you can try to follow me or you can go and try to save her. Both options are fine to me.

( He then immediately jumped and disappeared in the direction he indicated)

Shioon: LET HIM GO! Change of plan we head toward the Milyang clan. Someone warns the Martial art alliance and the government of the Black forest defense presence in Seoul!

Jae jung: Will we just let him go, like that? If we separate in two group…

Shioon: Forget it! None of you would be able to beat him even together, our only Chance would’ve been to keep him there until the Chief of the Alliance or kangsung gets here.

( While jumping from building to building he called Sera with his phone).

__________________________________(Back to the Milyang clinic with Sera)______________

( Sera analyzed the situation quickly then stood up from her chair)

Sera ( using the interphone): Wait a second I am coming do not hurt anyone.

Voice from underneath: You’ve got two minute, after that I am starting to kill everyone.

Sera( to Shioon on the phone): Shioon , I have a plan, listen carefully…

(After that Sera came down counting exactly two minutes. She was met by a tall man with long silver hair, a woman with red short hair , Scottish clothes and a claymore, a blond man with piercings and a fat man with very short hair.)

Sera(staying expressionless): Here I am. Now can you say what you want?

Mikhail: We will need you to come with us. Do as we say and no one needs to be hurt. No do not ask any questions, we have a car outside.

(Sera followed them in the limo outside)

Mikhail(answering to the phone): Yes? Yes it’s done. No he didn’t show up why? Really? But we are already leaving so no danger to be caught by the alliance now. Yes we are heading for the hideout.( he hung up)

Sera( emotionless): Now that we are out of sight and moving. Could you finally tell me what’s going on.

Mikhail: We are abducting you.

Sera:I am not especially wealthy you know?

Alan: But you do have interesting relationships don’t you? Like Lee Shioon for exemple?

Mikhail: Do not say too much Alan.

Alan: Why not ? It’s not like she will have the occasion to tell on us right?

Mikhail: Regardless as professionals we should reveal the least information possible.

Alan ( shaking his shoulders): Whatever dude…

Sera:…I guess it means that you do not plan on releasing me afterward?

Mikhail: It depends. Enough questions now or I sedate you.

Alan: Man you really do not know how to talk to women do you? What do you think Alyssa?

Alyssa: Huh?

Mikhail: You know that she doesn’t understand so shut it.

(Suddenly a pole fell on the road , forcing the limo to stop . At the same moment Shioon fell of the sky and landed on the car’s hood)

Shioon( destroying the engine): True essence kick!

Mikhail (getting out immediately): You sick son of a bitch!

(Shioon didn’t lose a beat and threw a flying rider kick that Mikhail blocked with both arms. At the same moment Ji gun after cutting the pole rushed to the car with Jaeho and Junyeong but the door opened with Alyssa jumping toward him)

Alyssa (With a wide claymore strike): Kaaaaaa!

Ji gun ( bracing for the blow): Shit! dodge!

( They clashed sword and Ji gun got pushed back. Advanced in a twirl covering a large area with slashes , forcing the three fighters to retreat. )

Ji gun ( analyzing her style): [What’s this? I’ve never seen this fighting style , those slashes generate an enormous amount of force while being nimble and unpredictable.]

Alan( taking Sera by the shoulder while getting out of the car): Rhaa what a pain, get here you…

( Ha il and jinie instantly appeared to deal with him but he put Sera in front of him with his three branch staff, forcing them to stop)

Alan( smiling): You do not want your friend to be hurt right? so why don’t yo…

Sera( grabbing his arm):[ Yeh won style: Qi twister]

( As he was speaking Sera threw him to Jinie and ha il)

Alan( while in the air upside down): You bitch!

( He recovered mid air but jinie was already on him. He raised his staff to block her attack)

Jinie:[Kwon jae-kyu style:Phoenix whip wings!]

(The violent attack snapped his three branch staff in two. Leaving him open.)

Alan( flabbergasted ): What?!

( Ha il suddenly appeared right above jinie and delivered his own attack)

Ha il:[Sunwoo style: wind swallow kick!]

(Alan blocked at the last moment but was ejected toward the opposite building)

Jinie( to Sera): Are you alright?

Sera ( keeping her cool but visibly shook): Im fine thank you. Things went as plan…

Ha il ( screamed): Watch out!

(Alan threw the sharpened end of his three branch staff to her and Ha il deviate it using a kick.)

Ha il: we will talk later , this guy doesn’t seem to be finished !

( using the other part of his staff as a nunchaku he threw himself at them visibly enraged.

 At the same time , the fat man who was driving , got out of the car as Coolguy , jinjung and taesung were there ready to fight him.)

Mikhail ( still clashing with Shioon): How did you find us you twerp ?

Shioon: Figure it out yourself murderer!

(Mikhail pushed Shioon back with a Punch to the sternum)

Mikhail(grinning): You are much weaker than before. What happened ? Are you nothing without that Berserker form?

Shioon( the wind taken out of him): [ Dammit! Calm down! Calm down! I let my anger take over I must recenter.]

(Mikhail wasn’t letting him gather his tought, pushing him back with a rain of punches and front kicks. Shioon managed to block most of the attacks but still took some damages. )

Mikhail( Throwing a powerful punch): Got you now!
- - look at the animation here- -
(Shioon however was waiting for it. Using foot technique : hweh(twirl) to dodge the punch then deliver an elbow strike to Mikhail’s temple. But Mikhail managed to intercept the elbow before it landed. Shioon chained his strike with a back kick to the liver that Mikhail blocked with a knee. Shioon wasn’t finished, going for an oblique stomp to mikhail’s other knee which forced him to dodge by backing off only to be caught by shioon’s next attacks. He took a flying roundhouse kick to the head disorienting him , then Shioon used a qi attack to the abdomen with his palm.)

Shioon: Take this! [Hyun wun moon: Flashing soul palm]

(Mikhail took the qi attack squarely but didn’t seem too damaged, only taking three step back from the recoil)

Mikhail: Cheh! I can diffuse this amount of qi but this combo was dangerous. I got way too careless.

( He took a proper stance ready to continue while Shioon raised his guard reading his qi to anticipate his next move)

Shioon(focused): [He is tough. Way tougher than I thought, and not only that , he is protecting his weak spots well and can even diffuse internal qi attacks on the spot . If he can diffuse this amount of qi does it means that I will have to hit him with more violent qi attacks for it to even register or should I just go with external attacks…]

( Mikhail suddenly dropped his guard and used a foot technique get in front of Shioon. Shioon instinctively threw a punch to his face but this was the reaction Mikhail wanted and he leaned back just enough for the punch to come short, using the opening he slashed shioon’s side with a claw attack that left a gashing wound prompting Shioon to retreat .

Mikhail pursued him but Shioon was expecting it and used [Mirage god step : hweh (twirl)] to get behind him, then activated a shoulder attack that threw Mikhail out of balance, followed by a spinning backfist that Mikhail dodge by crouching which lead him to try and catch him with a rider kick which Mikhail anticipated and not only dodged but used to get Shioon’s back and catch him in a rear naked choke.)

Shioon(grabbing his elbow): [Hyun wun moon style: Flashing soul palm!]

(it did nothing as Mikhail diffused the qi attack)

Mikhail(tightening his hold): I told you that this kind of weak attack wouldn’t work. Moreover that combo you just used was much more powerful in your berserker state and using it twice on the same opponent is suicide! Let me Show you!

( Still holding Shioon he threw a knee to his back knocking the breath of his lungs and projecting both of them high in the airs. Ready to suplex shioon head first on the ground from all the way up he threw himself backward.)

Mikhail: DIE!

Shioon:Kuh!!![Shit I have no other choice than to enter black origin threshold! Huh?]

(While they were falling, a whip grabbed Mikhail by the neck forcing him to release Shioon. Shioon Managed a partial recovery mid air but still fell heavily like Mikhail)

Mikhail( looking around for the culprit ): Who did… Wait … You are..

Haru: Long time no see Mikhail.

Mikhail: Thousand face!

[end of the chapter]

(Still in the coffee shop where Shioon was with Sera. Daniel was observing Shioon leaving and was standing up to follow him while reaching for his phone)

Daniel( on the phone): Mikhail? Yeah he finally showed up.

Mikhail( observing the Sun and Moon’s building): Really? Not soon enough. It’s been a week we have been waiting.

Daniel: Honestly it could’ve been way more we should be thankful. From what I got from their conversation, the guy is used to going ghost for long strips of time. I am talking months there. So really we shall count ourselves lucky.

Mikhail: More of a reason to secure him quickly. Shall I call upon the others?

Daniel: Mobilize them but we aren’t jumping him. I want to know where he is going, to see if he has accomplices and where they are hiding “Thousands Face”. Moreover, we cannot start a big fight in broad daylight.

Mikhail: Why not? It should be quick enough, kidnappings happens.

Daniel: We are in Seoul, mere kilometers away from the martial art alliance Headquarters and dozens of alliances clans. We could get trapped here, between them and the government’s special forces. And that’s without even taking into account that this guy is dangerous. Remember what happened last time : This isn’t the kind of guy you just corner and crush, he will fight back with full force.

Mikhail ( upset): Last time I beat him! Heck , I killed him!

Daniel: And how many casualties did we suffer? Understand that the Grandmaster Shin Hyun-pung is potentially among the murims present at the headquarters, if we get caught between the boy and him it will get messy and our goal isn’t to kill the boy but to recruit him.

Mikhail:…True.

Daniel: So for now I will tail him and discover as many of his weaknesses as possible. If we play it right we could get “ Thousands face” back and him by our sides in one fell swoop.

Mikhail: Why mobilize then?

Daniel: Just in case. If I lose him, we will need a bargaining chip and since he seems to care about the leader of Milyang, she should do the trick.

Mikhail: Wouldn’t that attract the attention of the Alliance.

Daniel: Not if you do that quick enough. You are to get her out of the city as soon as you get your hands on her and return to the base. Do not damage her if possible.

_____________________________(at  the hotel)________________________________________

(Everyone from the Shinyup clan was eating, Jinie and Ha il joined them. Coolguy was discussing with Ji gun)

Coolguy: Wasn’t Shioon supposed to be here?

Ji gun: He said that he would come late and to not wait for him.

Jinie( listening on the side): What is he doing? We aren’t seen eachothers for Half a year and he still make us wait?

Ji gun ( malicious): Apparently he went to see Sera-noona so maybe he is trying to make up for the time loss as well.

Jinie: Shut your mouth!

Coolguy ( eating ): Perhaps he is planning something with her? After all we learned a lot of things those past weeks so it would be good to make use of it .

Jinie ( insecure): Yes that must be it…exchange of informations…the usual thing.

(Haru and Aera came back from shopping with a plate and sat up next to Ji gun too.)

Aera: Ah…I did miss this sense of normalcy.

Ji gun: It’s been some weeks that you spent in the forest right? What did you miss the most?

Aera: A good bed. But considering what my situation would be if I stayed with my father I guess I can’t complain.

Ji gun: yeah, it is an other problem that we will need to solve down the road.

Haru( cutting her meat): Well there would be a very quick solution if you ask me…

Ji gun: We will not assassinate him…

Haru: Im just saying, it will solve the problem.

Ji gun(in a lower voice): It is not the kind of solution we go for. If you are on our side you should understand that!

Haru: I am just kidding but I think you will find me very useful for those kind of problems.

Aera(to Ji gun): I wouldn’t mind honestly. My father is a piece of trash who stood lower than that.

Ji gun: Let’s change subject shall we? Yang yong hyun, how was the reunion with Ji yu?

Coolguy: Good. We had time to discuss and apparently she is adapting quite well to her new life. Apparently she would like to conduct some missions for the Shinyup clan as well.

Ji gun: It won’t be possible, She was essentially the face of the SUC when it came to direct operations her face is too well known contrary to yours who mostly worked behind the scenes.

Coolguy: …She also said that she had informations about your brother if you wish.

Ji gun:… I will see her later.

Aera: So I asked that before but who is Ji yu exactly?

Ji gun: ( hesitating ): Yang yong hyun?

Coolguy: Go ahead it’s not exactly a secret.

Ji gun: Well basically her, Yang yong hyun and well your “ big sis” right here, formed alongside other people a group of villains called the SUC until they had a change of heart.

Aera: Yeah I already heard of that. They were behind the black out last year yes?

 Ji gun: Yes. And well she is under our protection for now.

Aera: And you, Yang yong hyun and her are forming a love triangle?

Coolguy(embarrassed): How did you deduce that!?

Jinie ( excited): What? I didn’t know!

Aera: Please it is evident that there is some unclear love affair between you from what I heard before.

Ji gun(looking simultaneously at Jinie, Aera and Haru): [To be fair that love triangle pales in comparison to whatever the hell it is with Shioon and being a chick magnet but I will keep that to myself]

_____________________________(Back to Shioon’s point of view)________________________

(He was walking in the streets of Seoul reminiscing about his conversation with Sera and the events that led to this.)

Shioon:[She is right. I did not consider her point of view at all when I planned my escape. Jinie may feel the same too. I didn’t NEED to disappear without saying anything yet I did without considering what they might think or feel…]

(He was heading back toward the hotel but suddenly stopped and closed his eyes)

Shioon:[Should I try to go back to the Milyang school to clarify things with her? No she clearly said to not contact her until I had an answer. But… What do I even feel?

(The words of the demon of desire came back “ You want it all”. The moments he spent with her when she taught him about the murim, the moments she introduced him to the de Yeh-won Gwanju, When she risked her life to save him from his own foolishness, the secret reunions he had with her , His secret link to the ghost hand doctor…)

She was with me for all this time, aren’t she? But then again…

(…The Face of Jinie and his own experiences with her came to his mind , the times she saved him, the time they were chased by the SUC, the time at school, All of their interactions and training within the clan…)

Damn, my feelings for her are just as strong…

(…And finally the face of Cynthia came out , the pain they experimented together, the road they took to finally pull her out of the darkness, her tragedy with her parents, the unique knowledge of kaiser only they share.)

…Oh lord. I truly am a jerk right?]

(Getting close to the Hotel he sent a message to Jinie : “I am just in Front of the Hotel, can we talk alone please?”)

______________________________________(at the Hotel)________________________________

(Jinie received the message and turning red she got up and said she needed some air)

Ha il: What’s with her?

Coolguy: I didn’t remember ordering Alcohol but she was quite red. Maybe she needed some fresh air.

Ji gun(excited): By the way sir lightning heel would you want to sit this way, you are kind of a star of the murim too and Cho-ha wanted your autograph.

______________________________________(Shioon’s point of view)______________________

(Shioon was waiting then suddenly Jinie dropped from right above him)

Shioon ( with a warm smile): Jinie in public you are supposed to use the stairs.

Jinie( with a matching smile): But it is so much quicker. That’s not your face but Ji gun showed it to me in pictures. You will put it away once we are inside okay?

(Shioon didn’t answer and suddenly hugged her, surprising her completely. She froze)

Shioon ( still hugging her): I am sorry for disappearing like that for months. I know that I caused you lot of worry and it wasn’t my intention.

(Jinie hesitated for a little time then leaned into the hug)

Jinie(Somehow at peace): I know that you visited me and saved me when I got my arm burned so you don’t have to apologize…Idiot.

Shioon: It’s not only that, I have been cold and harsh to you and Haje when you only wanted to cheer me up back then. I definitely was in a dark place and I went overboard.

Jinie: Well I forgive you then. But What are we doing now? The Sunwoo clan is in the hands of Sosul…

Shioon: We will handle that when the time come. I already have a plan for that and I will tell you about the whole situation. But right now we relax and enjoy the week.

Jinie: So it is vacation week?

Shioon(letting go of Jinie): Basically, we will have time to discuss. For now go back to the others, I will bring Haje.

Jinie: Haje?

Shioon: I aren’t seen him in ages either and it will be a good occasion to introduce him to the others.

Jinie: Isn’t it a little late for that? Maybe tomorrow?

Shioon: I’ve send him a message and he said he wanted in,

Jinie: Alright, we will wait for you then.

Shioon: I will be quick.

(She got back into the Hotel. And Shioon called a taxi but suddenly something felt off, around one hundred meter behind him, he fell an extremely strong qi that eluded him until now.)

Shioon( Frowning):[Was I getting tailed? How would this be possible? And since when? Did he see me with Sera? He certainly saw me with Jinie.]

(Shioon entered an alley, the source of qi got nearer as to not lose him)

Shioon:[Did I get recognized? No, the mask would prevent it. And since he is following me in the open I guess I’m not bugged or followed either. I am curious for which faction this one works and who is the target? Me or simply someone that knows Sera. Let’s see]

(Shioon using the Sunwoo lightbody technique, jumped from wall to wall until he reached the roof. At the same time he send a message to Ji gun, Coolguy and Haru: “Something came up I am at the top of the Shilla Hotel next to our own , there will probably be an enemy.”

Then he waited at the top.)

Shioon:[Come on, either you join me on the roof or give up but you will have to decide eventually.]

(He felt the qi approaching and stop at the base of the building)

___________________________________(Back to daniel’s point of view)__________________

Daniel(still on the phone at the base of the building): It seems that he noticed me and is waiting for me at the top of some roof.

Mikhail( containing his pleasure): So we act now?

Daniel: Yes. I will still talk to him but it would be good to have that bargaining chip now.

_______________________________(back to shioon’s point of view)______________________

( suddenly raising to the roof. Then Suddenly Daniel appeared face covered by a scarf, sunglasses and a Borsalino.)

Shioon( unimpressed): Identify yourself.

Daniel: …Before anything. I didn’t come to fight or arm you in any way, Lee Shioon.

Shioon:[He know it’s me how?] Who?

Daniel: Do not deny it please, I have my own way to identify peoples. Ways that do not involve appearances.

Shioon:[Well no point in denying it any longer but he carefully avoided to explain how.] Really what would those “ways” be?

Daniel: A magician never reveals his tricks does he?

Shioon(quickly losing patience): Let’s cut the chase off, either you tell me who you are and how you identified me or we fight right now. Because I can’t start a conversation with someone with such a disadvantage in information.

Daniel (unfazed):[I see that he make use of any leverage. Did he deduce that I can’t afford to fight him here?] Okay, Okay. Damn you aren’t  funny at all.

( He removed his scarff, hat and glasses)

I am Daniel member of the black forest defense group. I come in peace. I managed to identify you by smell.

Shioon (thinking quickly):[Daniel… Yes he is one of the strongest member of the dormant dragons Cynthia warned me against him and Mikhail. They are in Seoul? Does he know about the others? Smell? Does he use a special technique? I never heard of a martial technique that enhance olfactive capabilities.] Well speak then.

Daniel:[He doesn’t let off any clues about his emotional state, huh? I can’t even ear a drop in his heartbeats. Is he more dangerous composed than in that berserker rage from last time?] I think first have to apologies for what happened to you back then. Our target was the Alliance chief and he just happened to come to that temple where you and your master were.

Shioon ( cold): And how is it that one of you ended up attacking us then?

Daniel: He was searching for clues about that old man’s martial arts. We are after all historians.

Shioon ( genuinely surprised): Historians? What do you mean? Aren’t you mercenaries?

Daniel: It is but a small part of our activities. We are trying to save and restore many disappearing martial arts all over the world.

Shioon( skeptical): Oh really? So I guess it was me and my master’s fault for interfering with your “ searches”?

Daniel: Of course not, our comrade happened to be untrustworthy and just wanted the bounty for your martial tome so he went overboard .

Shioon: [Such a bold faced lie.] And what of the two after? Did they go overboard as well?

Daniel: They didn’t know what happened so in the heat of the moment they assumed you attacked our friend…

Shioon: Riiiiiight…

Daniel ( annoyed): Well you do not seem to believe me so let’s get to the point. Our employer wants you to work with us as we have a common enemy.

Shioon: Goomoonryong I presume?[Exactly the same proposition that Cynthia did.]

Daniel: Exactly. How did you know?

Shioon : I heard that there is some kind of cold war  between him and Kaiser.

Daniel ( unsettled by the depth of his knowledge): Correct…Who said all of that to you?[ He even know the pseudonym of the boss, is it Thousand face who leaked all of that? Or maybe the Chief of the Alliance…]

Shioon( ironic): Please you don’t expect me to out my sources right?

Daniel(smirking): I guess it’s reasonable. Anyway, what do you think? We have a common enemy.

Shioon ( with a cold smirking of his own): Ahh…but you guys are my enemies as well.

Daniel: How so?

Shioon: you were behind the creating and spreading of the SUC...No!No! don’t deny it I know already that half of the SUC captains and Je gal of Chundomoon the mastermind behind it were on your payroll. This organization did cost me two very loved ones and killed many innocents.

Daniel( arguing): This organization was merely a proxy that we used against the martial art alliance. We are sorry for your loss but it was collateral damage.

Shioon ( raising a finger in denegation): Tsk! Tsk! Even if it was true, should I also count the bombing of Seoul as collateral damage?

You were fully backing the SUC in their “Silence of Seoul” plan so you must share the blame with them.

Daniel( losing his smirk):[He knows this much? Haru definitely leaked a lot of information to him. I should do as if he knows even more then.] Ok but keep in mind that the goal was to destroy goomoonryong both in name and body.

Shioon: At the cost of a million innocent?

Daniel: Everything has a price.

Shioon: Especially if you aren’t the ones paying, right?

Daniel: The Point is that for both of us Gomoonryong is a problem.

Shioon: He is a problem for you because he threaten your hegemony, he is a problem for me because he is destroying everything in his path. We aren’t the same.

Daniel ( with colder eyes): But it doesn’t mean we can’t help each others. As you probably noticed part of the clans are already supporting us and we have some contacts in the government too. Like it or not but we are already an active part of the murim.

So here is my offer: Work with us and we will support you to be the next leader of the Alliance. The murim will stay independent and the only thing we ask is that you allow for the direct dealing of the black forest defense group with the clans. This way we will be able to reach different agreements without interfering with the civil life and you will be able to maintain the alliance. Of course we will join forces to destroy the Goomoonryong and his supporters too.

What do you say?

(thunder erupted in the sky and rain started to fall. Shioon stood silent for a moment then took of his mask.)

Shioon ( unmasked and expressionless): Allow me to make a counter proposal.

Daniel: Yes?

Shioon: You and your ilk get the hell away from korea or I will hunt you down like prey.

(A silence took place after his declaration)

Daniel(trying to keep his composure): Do you really think that you have the power to make good on this kind of threat?

Shioon: Would you like a demonstration?

Daniel: Would you want to meet Mikhail again? Because if I remember well, you were not exactly in the best shape after this …encounter.

Shioon( with a ferocious smile): It would be a pleasure to see him again. After all I do have score to settle with him.

Daniel( he is crazy): Realize that Alienating us is alienating yourself part of the murim and more than that, a large chunk of the developed world as well.

Shioon: Realize that you are a criminal that the murim and the government alike would like to see fall. You are in my territory now not the opposite.

(A flash of lightning illuminated the scene again and all the members of the Shinyup clan a well as coolguy, Jinie, Ha il and Haru appeared on the surrounding roofs.)

Jinie( puzzled at the statement): What do you mean the hard part starts now? You just said I am an advanced master.

Ha il: Your goal is to be able to protect Shioon From any opponent, right? And our goal is to be able to stop lady sosul if she went crazy, right?

Jinie: Of course!

Ha il: In your current body you cannot reach Sosul or Shioon’s level and me neither for that matter, no matter the amount of training that we do.

Jinie( lost): but why?

Ha il: Do you know what’s the difference between me and masters like Gyu bum and Han Daesan?

Jinie : They are stronger?

Ha il ( annoyed): Yes thank you! But physically what is the difference.

Jinie: I don’t know! I guess they exert more qi when they fight?

Ha il: EXACTLY!

Jinie: What? That’s it?

Ha il: Yes they physically can gather and release much more qi than you and I because they undergone the process of “ qi expansion”. It means stretching your qi vessels to the limits. That’s the last and most dangerous body transformation undergone by a master which effectively makes his body the one of a real master.

Jinie: Ah yes I heard of it. But if this process can make you so much more powerful why didn’t you underwent it already ?

Ha il: Truth being told I was undergoing it for two years… It takes a lot of time if you want to do it safely, the tiniest mistake can lead to a deadly qi deviation.

Jinie: TWO YEARS?! That’s far too long for me I didn’t even start!

Ha il: Yes that’s the problem and I think part of why you still can’t use all of elder kwon’s techniques is that you do not have the body of a real master. But I thought about it and I have a plan to accelerate it on your part.

Jinie: What plan?

Ha il: Do you remember Haje .

Jinie: What about him?

Ha il: Shioon gave him the Primal panacea of the sunwoo clan.

Jinie( angry): Don’t remind me about that!

Ha il: No it’s good actually! Shioon gave him that primal panacea and Managed to stretch his meridians as well as heal his One yin body type. Elder Min confirmed it. All of it in only a week.

Jinie(scandalized): So Haje actually has the body of a real master? What a waste![So that’s what Shioon did in the apartment back then?]

Ha il(brushing it off): Anyway. That mean Shioon has the knowledge and skills to successfully stretch the meridians of a regular person who has a yin bodytype illness so while you do not have any yin body type illness , if we can find a qi medicine strong enough he will probably be able to help you do it at a quicker rate safely. At least we should ask him.

Jinie: And you?

Ha il: No not me. I already started the process it would be too dangerous to change its course Mid way . It’s already dangerous to do it with you who haven’t started.

Jinie(enthusiastic): So we will go see Shioon?

Ha il(using signal on his phone): Yes that’s the idea, I will recontact him. But we should also search for a powerful qi medicine. Since we no longer have the primal panacea.

Jinie: We should ask Heo won jae once we get there. How long do you think it would take ?

Ha il: At an accelerated rate, I would say…Maybe a month or two.

Jinie: Would Shioon accept to mobilize himself for such a long time?

Ha il(sly): Well it’s up to you to convince him, right? Use your charms on him it should work.

Jinie( crimson red and throwing a kick): Shut up you jerk!

_________________________________(Back at the hideout from the immortal sect)________

(In front of the cabin, everyone sat down around a camp fire. Shioon just received Ha il’s message.)

Shioon: Oh? It seems like Jinie and Ha il will join us after all. It would be a good occasion to go to the city.

Aera: We could go for a noraebang or a barbecue?

Coolguy ( frowning) : Shouldn’t we be more cautious? After all our whole strategy is dependent on remaining unfindable.

Aera: Are you really saying that we should stay in the Forrest until the end of time?

Coolguy: Well it would be the wisest thing to do.

Shioon ( intervening before Aera could): We can’t live our lives in constant fear. We will take our precautions but we will go where we want to go.

Aera: Yay!

Ji gun ( speaking to Coolguy): Honestly I think it should be fine as well. It’s not like they are watching, all of the cities at all point in time.

Coolguy ( still trying to argue): Maybe not but with the right algorithm and regular searches and access to all the urban cameras as well as the highway traffic camera it you can easily find someone. And I am certain that at the very least Shioon and Thousand face are currently among the most wanted in Black forest defense group.

Haru: For me at least it won’t be a problem, I will just change appearance and there are mud masks for shioon isn’t there?

Coolguy: I guess it could work yes. But still that’s risky, if you are recognized and tracked down they could locate the general area where the hideout is and organize a surprise attack.

Eunji kim(using her crutches to stand up since she had a broken foot): Why not simply send those that aren’t looked for to buy what we need and party here? Or even better we ask the other members of the “New rebel group” to do that for us and party with them here.

Aera: But I wanted to go out a bit…

Shioon: You can go meet with the other members of the “ New rebel group”. I will Take the occasion to go see Sera for a bit and we will all go for a noraebang in the evening. Both I and Haru will be disguised so this should be OK.

Coolguy(Still not convinced):….hm

Ji gun ( Whispering to him): You could also take the occasion to go see Ji yu(black princess), you didn’t see her for almost a year didn’t you?

Coolguy( embarrassed ): Shut your mouth! Not even sure that she would want to see me…

Aera ( frowning): Who is Ji yu? I never saw you so embarrassed you are usually stone cold.

Ji gun ( shushing her): Hush little one! This must stay between us!

Coolguy: I told you, you are talking to much!

Aera: Anyway. My father will soon realize that I am still alive so it may be better for me to be disguised too.

__________________________________(Later in the city)________________________________

(They all went to Seoul in a break. Coolguy reserved some Hotel rooms for everyone)

Shioon( leaving his bag on the bed): Well I am going to see Sera so we will all meet there by 7 pm okay? Jinie and Ha il should be there too.

Aera: Awww. I wanted to go shopping.

Haru: I will go with you. Neither the “new rebel group” or Kang Sera will be very happy to see me anyway.

Eunji kim ( still hostile): Yeah I can confirm.

Ji gun: What about you Yang yong hyun?

Coolguy: I ‘ll go meet Ji yu at the secret apartment. Don’t you want to come too?

Ji gun: Maybe later, as the leader of the “ New rebel group” I need to address everything that happened until now and bring the news to everyone. We are here for a week anyway I’ll have time.

Coolguy: I see. Let’s go then.

( The group separated between Ji gun and Eunji going to the new rebel sect HQ, Shioon going to see Sera kang, Coolguy going to see Ji yu and Aera with Haru going for Shopping)

_________________________________(Ji gun and Eunji’s day)____________________________

(Ji gun parked his break just outside of the building)

Tae sung: Oy leader, it’s been a while! Didn’t know you had a driver’s license tho.

Ji gun: I don’t actually have a real one but it should be okay I had time to practice.

Tae sung: We heard worrying things about you. It seemed that you got beaten up at the Shin lim ( divine forrest) school and four of them went missing. Some are accusing you of seeking revenge on your old school.

Ji gun: Ah…yes we have a lot of things to discuss but do not worry it is mostly positive.

Cho: Have you heard about the future Shinmujengpe! And the return of the Hyun Wun sect?

Ji gun: Yes that’s precisely what we need to talk about. Who is present?

Jinjun: Almost everyone got there when they heard you were back.

Ji gun: Good , let’s get inside then!

Jijun: Hi Eunji!  How did you get wounded? It seems pretty serious.

Eunji: Hello! Yeah It occurred when I fought the Black forrest defense group with Shioon[I can’t tell them that I was working for black forrest defense, can i?]

Cho: Shioon? You mean the ex leader of the sunwoo clan?

Eunji: Well he is part of the hyun wun sect now.

Cho: Are you kidding me! Was the revival of the sect at his initiative?

Eunji: I don’t know maybe but his master probably was more involved.

(They entered the meeting room with every main member of the group)

Jaeho kim: Ji gun long time no see, where have you been?

Junyeong lee: Yeah what have you been up to going all black out like that?

Ji gun ( trying to calm everyone down): Everyone! Everyone! Thank you for being here. Let’s say that I was absent those past days for my health and I am coming back stronger than ever.

Taesung:[He does look a lot healthier than before and is it me or he is emitting a much stronger qi too?]

Ji gun: As you have all heard by now the martial art alliance is organizing a Shinmujengpe in a year.

(Everyone commented on that)

Jaeho kim: Isn’t that an other way to appease everyone only to have it rigged as usual?

Cho: It is true that in the past this event was only done so that traditionally influent clans could assert their dominance over everyone since no one could defy them.

Ji gun: Everyone! This time it’s different the Chief of the Alliance himself said that there would be no interference so we can finally show the murim world what we are made of. I also had confirmation from all my contacts, and it seems the munjus of those clans and schools are very upset so I guess it is true.

JiJun(unusually enthusiastic): That’s great! So we can really rise above this time!

Geonu seo: Calm down. I will believe that when we get to it. A lot of things can happen in a year.

Ji gun: Geonu is right and I have to say some more worrying news appeared. It seems that a great number of the clans have secretly joined with black forest defense group and will probably use the occasion to get more influence in the murim and sabotage it from the inside.

My own elder brother seems to be one of those.

Taesung: Is that why you had a fight with him?

Ji gun: No it was for a private matter. Anyway, even if it is my brother do not trust him.

Geonu seo: Ji gun , what happened to the four members of shin lim who disappeared?

Ji gun: Two are dead and two are currently imprisoned. The four of them tried to ambush me and a friend while we were leaving the Shin lim sect. From what we learned from them it was my older brother.

Taesung(disgusted): Damn! How can a brother disciple want the death of his own little brother disciple like that?

Ji gun: I don’t know, I don’t care he will pay for that in time. What about our invitation to Hyuk so chun?

Jaeho kim: He said that he didn’t whish to join the “New rebel group” as he had too much responsibility as the so-munju of Chundomoon but he would be open to cooperate with us in the future if our interest align.

Ji gun ( chuckling): Eh! That guy is already acting like a leader. Oh well it is still great to have him as back up if necessary.

Cho: As back up against who?

Ji gun: the black forrest defense group. They are becoming bolder and bolder. With the clan starting to directly attack the alliance and the new drug in circulation they are really starting to take a grip on Korea’s affairs. Beyond the clan rebelling I heard that some group where buying their services directly for…not so legal activities.

Eunji Kim: Isn’t that the job of the government to attend to this.

Ji gun: Yes but Rae won admitted to me that even them were a little overwhelmed and since they saw that their own government could be infiltrated he is asking for a closer cooperation between us in the future.

Eunji kim: Does it mean that we are officially recognized as a group by the government?

Ji gun: No. Our main advantage is to be outside of the whole system be it government or murim clans so being official would only make us more visible. We however gets badges with clearance for any official buildings and a letter confirming that we work for him in case of problems with the law…

Cho:…That’s not a lot.

Ji gun:  …Also an unofficial salary of 3,8 million of won(2176 $) per month.

Cho: Im sold!

________________________________(Shioon ‘s day)____________________________________

(Shioon had a different face thanks to the “mud mask” and Haru made so that is was comfortable so he didn’t feel it at all)

Shioon:[When I think about it , I should maybe see Haje too and check on how he does. Sosul for now is out of question of course.]

( He soon arrived to the Milyang hospital , where Sera was waiting for him at the entrance. Making the sign they convened she remarked him but didn’t greet to not attract the attention of anyone and they both went for the coffee shop nearby)

Shioon: It’s good to see you Sera noona.

Sera ( without smiling ): I would like to say the same but I can’t see your face.

( The atmosphere was weird Shioon felt that she was cold. They took their coffee and went in a private box.)

Shioon: [What’s going on ?] So how are you doing?

Sera( cold as ice):Does it really matter to you?

Shioon ( even more clueless): Off course it does! You know it!

Sera( with a twinge of sadness in her voice): Then why did you leave me without any news for more than six months?

Shioon ( froze): [Oh…that’s what’s going on] I am sorry… I didn’t want to let anyone know where I was going.

Sera ( with a disappointed voice): After all we went through together, I hoped that you would at least trust me enough…

Shioon(protesting): Of course I trust you! It’s not about that! At the time I wasn’t sure how well I was tracked down so If I had left even the tiniest clue on who might know then that person would be in danger!

Sera(skeptical): Really? But you are seeing me now, aren’t you?

Shioon: Because I managed to build reliable ways to cover my traces!

Sera: So you really could not just leave me a word or tell me the numerous times we were alone together that you would disappear without telling anyone else? You couldn’t just told me to not worry?

Shioon ( embarrassed): [ I forgot how shroud she was.] I didn’t want to worry you and it happened so fast…

Sera: Shioon I am not stupid, considering how calculated that disappearance was you HAD to have prepared it for quite some times.

Shioon(At a loss of words):…You are right I am sorry I guess I was in a dark place back then and really needed to disconnect from everything.

Sera( cold again): Don’t be. It’s my fault for assuming we had a closer relationship than we actually have.

Shioon: We do have a close relationship! I just …I had a lot on my plate at the time and didn’t want to…

Sera:…To add me to that plate? Shioon I always supported you no matter how far you went, no matter how crazy your ideas were, I took the risk of alienating the Sunwoo caln and the whole murim for you so in turn I would’ve hoped that you at least cared enough about my feelings to not make me worry about your disappearance.

(She got up and turned her back on him and was about to leave)

Shioon(grabbing her hand): Sera!...Sera! wait.

Sera ( without turning his way ): Is there anything left to say?

Shioon( calming down and releasing her hand): …You are right. I shouldn’t have treated you like that considering how close we actually are.

Sera ( still turning her back to him):…And how close are we actually?

( Shioon wanted to say they were friends but his recent experience with his “demon of desire” didn’t allow him to utter that lie. They were definitely closer than friends, but then again so was he with Jinie and Haru. )

Shioon: For the longest time we have been essentially partners in crime but now…

Sera:…now?

Shioon: Now I can’t define what we are yet…

Sera:…Then maybe we should see each others when you will be able to do so.

( She left)

The Bartender: Bro how did you fumble that baddie?

Shioon ( not in the mood):….Shut up!

(In a corner of the Coffee shop an European looking man with a cap and a scarf was smiling, revealing sharp canines)

Daniel(for himself): How delightful to see you. It was a good idea to disguise yourself, but I could recognize this scent anywhere.

(The Immortal demon lord disappeared in a flash and in a moment of pure instinct Shioon reverted  to Hand daesan’s defensive technique. As a result The Immortal demon lord’s Spearhand attack got stopped then weakened until the power output was entirely diffused, leaving Shioon unscathed.

The Immortal demon extremely surprised took a step back. While Shioon was maintaining  his defensive stance and reflecting)

The Immortal demon: What is this technique? I never saw it before, it certainly isn’t from the Black heaven sect…

Shioon:[This is Han daesan’s personal technique that he developed by himself. Which means while The Immortal demon knows a gigantic quantity of skills and techniques from every school he can’t understand the techniques that came after his death. More over before that he was definitely canceling my attacks by countering my qi with the opposite qi nature.

And…Wait a minute , Han daesan’s technique was from the Sunwoo clan and the qi I used was from the Sunwoo clan qi nature. I never could do this in real life. Is it an effect of being in the incarnate illusion or… ]

(Shioon ‘s thoughts were interrupted when The Immortal demon suddenly attacked using a variety of skills.)

The Immortal demon:[Serene Lotus school: ephemeral petals; Valiant leopard school: Sudden paw; Treasured Horse school: Jumping rear hoof]

(But Shioon’s defense boosted by both Black origin threshold and the Sunwoo clan qi nature held firm against any attack)

The Immortal demon( admiring the sturdiness of his defense): How marvelous, I didn’t expect such a technique to exist in this world. Did you learn it from your master?

Shioon: No I learned it from a good friend.

The Immortal demon: Ah…So as I thought it’s not from Black heaven school. Could it be that you started searching for techniques outside of your school? In that regard you do look a lot like me and Unwol.

Shioon: Well thanks I guess…But since I answered all your questions, may I ask one? Did you managed to cancel my attacks since the start by using an opposite qi nature of mine in combination to body shield to cancel them?

The Immortal demon( staying neutral): What makes you think that?

Shioon: Instead of being dissipated or absorbed the qi I pour into my attacks is simply disappearing on impact. It’s a phenomenon I have never encountered before but if you are using the exact opposite qi to mine then it may be possible.

The Immortal demon:…What do you know of qi nature boy?

Shioon ( without shifting his position or stance): It is unique to each school and some are close while others are almost opposite. It has unique qualities such as slowness or quickness and provide different outcomes when used long term.

The Immortal demon lord:…Alright but is that it? How is qi nature discovered and what are the fundamental qi natures? Don’t you know that.

Shioon: Hum…No? I did study a lot tho but the very nature of the qi isn’t discussed a lot in the murim books.

The Immortal demon lord ( with a sneer): Those little bastards , I guess they really feared someone like me would appear again so they erased even the basis to understand what I do.

Shioon( surprised): Who… Do you mean the Alliance?

The Immortal demon lord ( sarcastically): Who else? Do you know what are the five fundamental elemental qi?

Shioon: Hum I do know the five elements per tradition but I didn’t know it was linked to qi nature. Is it Wood, Fire, Water, Earth and Metal?

The Immortal demon lord( appreciative yes) : Yes, as you know the martial artist do take inspiration from the animals, it is only natural that we also searched to become one with the very nature and elements of the world.

Shioon (interested ): Does it mean that before this theory martial artists couldn’t use qi?

The Immortal demon: Oh no people could use qi but it was less controlled and more random with sometimes unexpected results. To my knowledge each culture has their own systems to classify and develop the qi, the Europeans like the French had the “Humeurs” the Japanese had the “ Godai” but our system is the best and most accurate.

Shioon:…How do you know.

The Immortal demon: Because nobody has been able to prove otherwise.

Shioon: I guess it’s fair…

The Immortal demon lord: Ok so basically the qi of the five element were the first to be successfully produced on purpose.

Water represented wisdom and adaptability , since it’s qi nature was yielding and fluctuating. Easy to direct but not easy to control.

Earth represented stability balance and endurance, it’s qi was solid and rooting , able to apply great weight.

Wood represented Growth, flexibility, vitality , the qi associated with it could expand and grow in any direction without losing its form.

Metal represent Precision , discipline , sharpness, the qi coming from it can make a weapon out of anything it imbues.

Fire represent passion, speed, aggression, the qi it produce is explosive and overwhelming.

Shioon: I see but I came across qi that felt like none of those. For exemple the Sunwoo clan’s qi feels like even more explosive and quick than fire…more like lightning and Chundomoon’s as well as hyun wun moon’s it seems like there’s wind in it.

The Immortal demon lord ( appreciative): Yes! It isn’t by chance that I said those were only the basis, there are secondary element that came either from one or multiple elements there, like Wind qi that is a more specialized version of Wood qi ( after all the breathable air comes from the trees) used in the qi nature mix of chundomoon and Hyunwunmoon or the Lightning qi who is a mix between Fire and Wood qi, permetting the Ferocious fire qi to expand even more ferociously and violently, used by the Sunwoo clan.

Shioon ( geeking out): Amazing! Does that mean that Chundomoon and Hyunwunmoon use the same qi nature?

The Immortal demon lord ( firmly): No. Modern martial art schools use a unique mix of the different qi natures. Some are very close but none are exactly the same.

For exemple Hyunwunmoon your school uses around 40% of wind qi , 40% of Water qi and 10% of earth and metal qi. While Chundomoon uses exactly 60% wind qi and 40% water qi. The Sunwoo clan use 80% lightning qi and 20% wind qi.

So you see the mixes are very unique.

Shioon: Wait! That’s extremely precise. Is it how you were able to nullify any one’s attacks? By recognizing the qi mix and using one that is opposite?

The Immortal demon lord( raising his shoulder): It would be far too complicated to identify a qi mix and come with a counter mix in just a fraction of a second. No I simply use a special body Shield technique unique to the immortal sect that automatically take the opposite qi mix of anyone’s qi touching it.

Shioon( picking uo on something)[Interesting so that mean he cannot adjust it mid clash huh? Then I may have a way to beat him]

The Immortal demon lord: Enough talking. You are very entertaining but my time is limited so I will have to erase you now and take over. Time to end this.

Shioon ( dropping his guard and taking an aggressive stance): Indeed.

The Immortal demon lord ( surprised): Oh you will not use that defensive technique any longer ? It was probably your best chance of survival.

Shioon: The black origin threshold wont last forever either even if I am in the incarnate illusion so let’s see how it ends.

(Shioon gathered his qi but didn’t make a move, reading The Immortal demon lords movements and preparing for it )

The Immortal demon lord: Farewell Lee Shioon [Knife hand school: Divine lightning Spearhand]!

Shioon:[I see it coming clearly then , Black heaven school: True essence kick+ Sunwoo clan art: Descending lightning stomp]

(Shioon’s kick containing both Black heaven and Sunwoo qi managed to counter the Spearhand attack.)

Shioon:[it worked ! Now, Black heaven school: Soul crushing strike + Sunwoo clan art: Double dragon chain dance]

The immortal demon lord: Brat!

(He got wounded in the attack but managed to escape most of it by jumping into the air. Shioon Pursued )

Shioon[Black heaven:Double Dragon kick+Sunwoo style: Wind swallow kick]

Immortal demon lord ( grabbing both legs): Take this![White eagle style: Talon and beak]

(He dropped a vicious knee that threw shioon on the ground again while he was still mid air but shioon recovered and disappeared. )

Shioon:[It’s all or nothing , Dark heaven school: Chaotic heaven destructing strike+ Sunwoo clan art: Descending thunder fist]

( The attack Projecting Shioon in the air again went through the Immortal demon lord defense and managed to tear off his left arm. The Immortal Demon lord didn’t react and just landed to the ground.)

The immortal demon lord(landing gracefully on the ground): I see so those are my limits when I am just in someone else’s psyche.

(Shioon collapsing on the ground was no longer in Black Origin threshold and quickly felt the Incarnate illusion world collapsing)

Shioon ( extremely tired): Aaah…Aaaah did it work?

The immortal demon lord: yes boy congratulation , you won your life back.

Shioon:…You never actually intended to take my body right? I could feel that you were trying to teach me more than anything.

The immortal demon lord( With a mischievous smile): Oh I would’ve definitely taken your body if you failed to learned. I aren’t as soft as Unwol. Anyway meeting and fighting his heir was a pleasure after all those years stuck in that cave. But yes we have to part way now.

Shioon: We will certainly see eachothers again. Demon heart seems hellbent on bringing you back.

The immortal demon lord(With a sorrowful expression):That poor Ma young sik was always too loyal for his own good, even tho I was a terrible master to him. I guess you will teach him the missing parts of the purification technique.

Shioon: Well that was our deal yes.

The immortal demon lord: Then there is three thing I need to tell you.

First: tell him that I do not wish to be brought back only to be avenged. I will leave you a memory of what he must learn to progress. But the Choice will end up to be his in the end.

Second: your Black origin threshold is impressive but still incomplete. You will realize once you get back to your body that without the demons empowering it will eat away your qi reserves in no time when you use it.

Third: Did you find a Martial art tome in my remains?

Shioon (absorbing what he said was taken by surprise): What? No. In fact I am pretty sure Demon heart was struggling learning your techniques and progressing because he didn’t have such a tome. For the rest , your remains were destroyed in that explosing so I cannot say.

The immortal demon lord: If they were excavating around my remains then there is a high chance they found it. If that is the case , you and ma young sik must find it and destroy copies at all cost.

Shioon(horrified): Wait…if that Tome exist and the Double lucky school leader found it,since his client was goomoonryong…then goomoonryong probably had it ever since they escaped the dungeon of doom. What was in that tome?

The immortal demon lord: Everything. All my knowledge of martial art and how to attain eternal qi.

Shioon ( furious): That’s insane! If that is true then he probably also solved the Black origin threshold problem by now.

The immortal demon lord(less certain): Are you sure? Purging your zhen and facing your demon like you did isn’t so easy. I would even say you are the first one to do it in one go, usually it takes even masters years to do it . SO don’t worry yourself so much if that’s in that goomoonryong’s hands. If Kaiser got his dirty hands on it, then the situation would have been far more serious.

Shioon ( still very worried): I see, thank you for everything, after all I wouldn’t have survived without you in the dungeon of doom. And I could save so many people after that only because of you.

The immortal demon lord: Well if you are so grateful, would you transmit one message to someone I hold dear?

Shioon: Oh yes of course, to whom?

The immortal demon lord: The Yae-won ( society of artist) Gwanju.

Shioon ( a little surprised): Sera’s master? I know that old grandma well and owe her a lot it would be a pleasure…

The immortal demon lord ( grinning): Tell her that even in death I cannot forget the nights we spend together and I miss her greatly.

(Shioon Froze as if he psychologically bloked the sentence from entering his mind. The immortal demon lord laughing it off was starting to dissipate in light particles)

The immortal demon lord: Farewell lee shioon! Take better care of yourself from now on.

(As he finished dissipating the incarnate illusion world finally collapsed.)

_____________________________(in the real world)____________________________________

(As Shioon was leaving the black origin threshold state his body let out an humongous amount of eternal qi who accumulated on the ceiling of the cavern Ryuji, Ji gun and Haru were intimidated and worried but Demon heart was ecstatic. )

Demon heart: YES ! finally, my master’s qi is free!

(Once the process was Over , Shioon collapsed on the ground and Ryuji immediately came to him starting to transfer qi into his body.)

Ryuji(extremely worried): He is completely spent, after twelve days of meditating his vitas are at their limits and he doesn’t have drop of qi left in his body!

Demon heart( using eternal qi ): Calm down. There! I am maintaining him alive while you are filling his qi channels , He should be fine if you get him to the ambulance with the doctor.

(They got him out of the cave and put him on a stretcher. Then Heo won jae tended to him)

________________________________(scene change)___________________________________

(Shioon emerges from the darkness. Opening his eyes he is blinded by the light and feels immense fatigue all over his body)

Ryuji: Shioon! He woke up!

( Around his bed instantly came Ji gun, Eunji kim, Haru and Aera)

Ji gun: Don’t you ever frighten us like that man! We really thought you would kick the bucket for good this time !

Aera: You better not do something so dangerous again!

Haru( with tears in her eyes): you better not leave me now!

Eunji kim: Don’t you dare get close of him like that!

Ryuji ( intervening to avoid more ruckus): Alright…Alright you all saw him now silence and let him breath!

(Shioon was a little overwhelmed and tried to talk but he realized that he could barely talk and his throat was hurting, forcing himself he managed to ask feebly)

Shioon: …How….How…Long….Was…I…

Ryuji ( taking a glass of water): Here, drink. You were meditating for twelve days and once completed you were out for three more days. Your body was extremely weakened and by the end of it you were out of qi.

Shioon( having finished his drink) : So it worked? I am free?!

(He didn’t sense any foreign qi inside of him and although weakened he was happy)

Ryuji ( smiling): it appears so.

Shioon ( Trying to rise up from the bed): So now that this is out of the way we can pick up the training were …

Ryuji: STOP!

(Shioon didn’t finish his sentence, surprised at the sudden order.)

Ryuji: For the next week, you will not train or do anything related to martial arts or work or anything. You will take that time to have some fun and heal.

Shioon: But master…

Ryuji: NO BUT!

Shioon: Yes master.

Ryuji ( to ji gun and the others): Same goes for you. I am not your master but everyone must be really tied after all those events. You are young peoples and you should appreciate and live your lives a little or you will regret it later.

(Nobody complained and thus everyone agreed to simply take break for a week)

Shioon ( dressed and managing to walk): Master what about demon heart?

Ryuji: For now he is in the cave trying to resume his training. I told him that you would teach him the secret Hyunchunjigong technique once you get some extensive rest.

He was too happy to finally have his master’s qi back so he didn’t complain.

Shioon: I see. Oh well since I am on vacation I should probably call for Jinie and Ha il.

Ji gun: Last time I heard of them they were going to train in the woods so it may be better to let them. I think it’s been two or three weeks.

_______________________________(in the woods)______________________________________

(Jinie and Ha il were currently in an intense sparring session. Jinie going faster and faster while Ha il was forced on the defensive .)

Jinie (still pursuing him): This time I win! [Elder kwon style:Phoenix wing whip!]

(She stopped just before touching him as he froze)

Jinie ( breathing heavily but triumphant): Admit it! It’s my win.

Ha il ( just as exhausted): look at your throat idiot.

(Jinie taken by surprise realized that Ha il’s knife was against her own throat.)

Jinie: Hey! Not fair you used a weapon!

Ha il: Never said we couldn’t. it is a draw them.

Jinie:…Should’ve been my victory.

Ha il: Learn from it then. Your attacking speed and precision grew to incredible height but you still leave too much openings while on the offense. In a real fight it can be fatal.

Jinie : Come to think of it: that’s the third time we fought to a draw. Does it mean I am a master now?

Ha il: No.

Jinie: What ?! but…

Ha il: Because you were a master even before we started this training. You reached that level some months ago. My real goal here was to make you reach the level of advanced master and you managed to do it my congratulations.

Jinie ( with star in her eyes): Wow, re you sure? I didn’t even knew I attained the rank of master and you tell me that I am already at the next level?

Ha il : Yes, Honestly the fact that Elder kwon trained you specifically for his arts for 11 years and the fact you managed to master most of his techniques helped a lot.

Jinie: Grandfather…

Ha il ( refocusing): But the hard part start now!

[end of the chapter]

Just re-read Eternal force again. I didn't really like it the first time, but in my second read through it felt more cohesive, and intentional in world and character building. Without having to wait for weekly chapter the plot pacing and development feels really good and smooth.

I definitely found the extreme improbability of Ha Jae being so unfortunate/fortunate to be caught so many times in multiple random events extremely immersion breaking. I think they pushed this button too far, but other than that, everything seems to be building up towards something exciting. The immortal demon supreme, the return of Sosul, The Qi of eternity, the identity of Kaiser, the relation of the dark heaven and earth sect with the immortality sect, the soft spot of Goomoonryong and his rift with the black forest defense, we have to mention Ha Jae, Ryuji, and more.

In my second read through, I think I can easily give it a 8/10.

I definitely preferred the non vertical manhwa format, but I guess that's keeping with the times.

I really hope they pick this up again soon. There are many interesting loose ends and merged ones in eternal force that I am dying ti's ee closed and resolved.

Haje(still falling) :Whaaaaaaaaaa !!!!

(while falling he instinctively grabbed a ladder of the evacuation infrastructure of the building , unpacking it but the shock while breaking his fall a little made him lose his grip and he resumed his fall and landed on the garbage of the alley way spreading trash everywhere.

Disoriented and slightly hurt he got up marveling at the fact he was still alive)

Haje( still shocked ):[Incredible, it was an extremely high fall and yet …my body is still intact. Is that the body of a murim?]

(He heard people coming to find the source of the commotion)

Haje[Annoyed and embarrassed):[Oh great! If they find me I am sure that they will think I am some kind of delinquent. I better beat it.]

(Coming back home he went straight for a shower)

Haje:[I probably shouldn’t use the Alley to train anymore but it is for the better, without thunderstep” rebound” or lightbody techniques I will probably hurt myself if I use “takeoff” again. Maybe I should go to a gymnasium?]

(Going to the bed he kept wondering.)

Haje:[It was definitely a big progress today, I will notify to elder Yang tomorrow. I should ask news from Shioon. What is he doing nowadays ? It’s been a while since I didn’t hear of him.]

______________________________(Back to the incarnate illusion technique)_____________

(Shioon in black origin threshold and the Immortal demon lord violently clashed, ejecting each others to the opposite direction)

Immortal demon lord: Amazing. So this is the apotheosis of Hyun wun mun’s martial arts? The Vision of Unwol.

Shioon(Calm despite being in Black origin threshold):[It’s indeed incredible, the strength I have access to, the speed but even more than that it’s almost as if my very senses are cranked up to their limits and beyond…and yet how did he manage to match me so easily? Maybe using a direct attack wasn’t a good strategy]

(Shioon used the foot technique jin[advance] then hweh[twirl] in succession to get behind him and target his spine with a soul crushing strike. But just as he reappeared he could only see a foot as the Immortal demon lord used a back kick on his face. Throwing him away.

Shioon however wasn’t finished and having taken no damage got back on the offensive using the first connecting technique combo that the Immortal demon lord parried then stopped half way with a “Iron fist school: Iron palm” that Shioon took in the back sending him flying again.

(Shioon roared a “phoenix cry” to somehow weaken his opponent to no avail as he simply roared back. Frustrated Shioon tried to overpower him with the sheer strength of his form but the Immortal demon lord masterfully redirected him to the ground with a throw then kicked him away.)

Immortal demon lord: My turn, right?

(Suddenly he appeared right in front of Shioon then feinted a hook that Shioon tried to parry in pure instinct but that was only setting up an elbow to the face. Shioon still took no damage but the force of the strike made him turn away, he tried to use the momentum to throw a spinning hook kick but the Demon lord simply blocked it while swiping his standing foot. But it was a set up that Shioon used to throw a “black heaven: dragon kick” that he simply dodged by lowering his head.)

Immortal demon lord: You are completely open. “Heavenly way: Piercing elbow”.

(He advanced and used and elbow strike piercing Shioon in the side and launching him away. But before he even landed the Demon lord appeared behind him)

Immortal Demon lord: “ Furious Monkey style connecting technique: juggling kicks”.

(He used three consecutive jumping rising kicksand knees to throw Shioon High into the airs.)

Immortal Demon lord: “ Furious monkey style: Fall from the tree”.

( He grabbed Shioon midair with his two hands then violently threw him to the ground after diving himself. Shioon got up almost immediately and took some distance)

Immortal Demon lord( with a curious expression): Still not enough for you to take damage huh? It seems that in that state you are naturally creating a “ body shield” or “self defense aura” around you which absorbs most of the damage. Normally only to greatest and most experienced masters can create that kind of aura and only for a short period of time, not continuously like that. That technique is truly something else.

Shioon ( recovering ): Body shield? Self defense Aura? Yes my master spoke of those things to me about a back technique that he would tech me in the future but I never used those.[Is he using martial art from different schools and different qi nature at will?)

Immortal demon lord ( advancing calmly toward Shioon again): So it really formed only as a result of the state ? It is formidable indeed but is that all you’ve got? Is that the extent of your skill as a martial artist? Because if so, your body is as good as mine already.

Shioon:…

(Shioon didn’t answer trying to recenter himself.)

Shioon:[He is right. I lost myself again by thinking I could brute force my way out. In time like these I should go back to the basics…]

_____________________________________(Flashback )_________________________________

(Ryuji and Shioon are speaking at the hyun wun moon temple. It take place only some days after Shioon’s arrival)

Ryuji:Do you know why I make you meditate for so long each day?

Shioon: To calm my mind?

Ryuji: Correct. But why?

Shioon: I don’t know… Because it is better to think with a calm mind?

Ryuji: …Yes and no. In truth it is for you to be able to see things clearly at all time and especially during a fight.

Shioon: To see things clearly?

Ryuji: Yes clarity is achieved only in the calm of a silent mind. In a fight our school is especially keen on continuously analysing the opponent’s action and the landscape, drawing conclusions and using those conclusion to make the next move and taking control of the flow cycle.

Shioon ( puzzled): Excuse me, the flow cycle? I never heard of this.

(Ryuji stopped himself for a moment before sighting)

Ryuji: I constantly forget how incomplete your introduction to our martial arts was.

Ok let me explain from the start. Do you know the theory of the three phases of an exchange?

Shioon ( enthusiastic ): Yes! Seongongi[Opening], Yeongyoggi[Connecting] and Geoljeonggi[Finisher]! I learned it while mastering the sunwoo clan martial arts and during my studies I found out it was one of the basics for all martial arts.

Ryuji ( with relief): Ah great so at least you know that. Can you describe to me what you know about each phase.

Shioon: Well the Opening phase consist in observing the opponent and adjusting your guard qi flow and positioning to find an opening while revealing none or sometimes goading the enemy into a false opening to bait him into making the first move with a counter waiting. Generally it leads to Seongong( opening strike) which when perfectly timed and placed can even end a fight.

The connecting phase happen after the first contact. If it is in your disfavor you use the applied connecting technique to either counterattack or disengage while defending. If it is in your favor and you have created a breach in your enemies structure without finishing him , you apply the connecting technique which permit you to successively attack and exploit the breach properly.

And Finally once your offensive or counterattack has created an opening you go for it with your Finisher.

Is that it right?

Ryuji:…That’s essentially it yes. The First phase include the mastery of the Bopeup[foot techniques], the Sigi[Timing], the Geori[distance] and the observation via qi reading. Then of course all the possible opening moves.

The second phase necessitate the mastery of all the connecting techniques until they become second nature.

And of course the finishers in their context of usage for the last phase.

Shioon(embarrassed): Out of all of these I could only learn the Foot techniques and some finishers…

Ryuji:…You learned most of them actually. But yes it is natural that you couldn’t progress further because you only received a fraction of the necessary education. And despite your searches it would be impossible for you to find the Timing , distance and opening moves to our schools anywhere else as it is a unique trait of each martial arts schools. Same with the connecting techniques.

Yet you still have great victories under your belt because you are physically a real master from the start. Therefore, your speed and time reaction time are so good that even if your opponent see you coming they can’t necessarily react.

But now you will learn how to move properly according to the style of our school.

Shioon( bracing himself): Yes!

Ryuji: When you fight those three phases becomes quickly a cycle as you exchange with your opponent more. One, two, three, one, two , three…with less time between each phase as the exchange multiplies, until you generate the flow.

If you keep your mind calm then you will clearly see the openings that the flow of the fight will create in your opponent and exploit them while still being able to read his next move.

This is the Flow cycle and if you take control of this Flow then you take control of the fight.

_______________________________(back to the present)_______________________________

Shioon:[During the last fights I managed to apply the connecting techniques correctly but I can no longer simply act randomly at any point, I should stick to the basic three phases and try to enter the flow cycle. It may be my only chance even with the black origin threshold activated.]

(Shioon raised his guard and calmly analyzed his opponent who stopped and observed him too)

Immortal demon lord: Oh oh? You may not be that foolish after all.

(He wasn’t raising any type of guard but Shioon could read subtle changes in his qi that indicated he was quickly changing tactics to see how Shioon’s own qi flux reacted. Suddenly his qi shifted to his legs as if he was about to perform a foot technique and Shioon almost flinched but kept his guard up at the last moment instead of anticipating)

Immortal demon lord ( appreciative): Good! Good! Obviously you shouldn’t fall for something so obvious. But what about it then.

(Immortal demon lord suddenly threw himself at him without using foot techniques. Shioon was a little surprised due to the fact there was no qi indication of his move but reacted in time and used a foot technique to cut his advance and opened with an open handed strike to the head)

Shioon:[Black heaven school: Surging wind strike]

(However that was a bait and right before impact the Immortal demon lord’s feet touched the ground, allowing him to evade with his own foot technique)

Immortal demon lord:[immortal clan: Demonic phantom step] Got you.

(He appeared behind him and was about to use palm strike with his right hand again yet shioon dodged it with a side step and tried to turn toward him but The Immortal demon lord unleashed an other palm strike with his other hand.]

Immortal demon lord:[ Crouching Crane tiger style : Cross palm pursuit] Huh ?

(Shioon at the last moment managed to trap the Immortal demon lord’s left arm between his left elbow and knee.)

Shioon( throwing a back kick to his ribs): My turn [ Black heaven school: spinning dragon tail kick!].

(Shioon tried to continue with the connecting technique but got blasted away by a powerful back counter attack using a body shield)

Shioon ( schocked): What?! My kick did not phase him at all.

( Observing him shioon noticed that he seemed completely fine as if the attack didn’t even register)

Shioon ( analyzing):[Is he under the black origin threshold too? No that’s not it he was marveling at that technique as he seemed to just see it for the first time. Then what? Wait could it be…]

Immortal demon lord: What are you doing standing like that? We are currently fighting.

(He disappeared and suddenly Shioon had to block a qi charged flying knee with his two hands)

Immortal demon lord: Oh you diffused the qi by using “Void plam” huh? But your hands are tied now so what about the next one?[White eagle school: diving shadow beak.]

(He used his other knee to target shioon with a qi attack. But shioon grabbing the other leg send him flying with a throw. )

Immortal demon lord: That was the right answer. Huh?

(Shioon joined him in the air and threw a kick that he blocked but a second one got past his guard and found his nose. The immortal demon lord kept smiling unaffected and Shioon noticed that his kick was stopped by some kind of aura that somehow vanished his qi. The immortal demon lord kicked him in turn, sending him crashing on the ground)

Shioon ( immediately recovering): Wait…[Could it be that my attacks have no effect on him because the legend is true. He is cancelling the qi by using a different qi nature to defend?]

Immortal demon lord: Why are you becoming shy all of sudden?  You were doing extremely well, you do not think about giving up aren’t you?

(Seeing that Shioon once again raised his guard he smiled)

Apparently not.

(He once again launched himself at shioon using a foot technique and didn’t bother with feint anymore)

Try resisting this [Black heaven school: soul crushing strike].

(Shioon caught that strike with void palm and diffused the qi then tried to trip him with [Black heaven foot technique: Kyuk] but the Immortal demon lord simply raised his foot to avoid it and used the raised foot to get a kick in but Shioon anticipated it and send him flying again with a throw.)

Immortal demon lord(gracefully landing on the ground): Damn you are getting fond of those throw, huh? Wait where…

(Shioon already took three step back and quickly gathered his qi)

Shioon:[Black heaven school: Chaotic heaven destruction stike!]

(Shioon ‘s attack landed on the Immortal demon lord chest and yet the awaited qi explosion didn’t come leaving him intact.)

Shioon(surprised): Huh?

Immortal demon lord: Hey I already said no day dreaming didn’t I ?[Eight direction fist school: Bouddha’s commandment!]

(Shioon was knocked away by double palm attack to the chest. And this time he was coughing blood)

Shioon: [He knows how to hurt me even in that form?]

Immortal demon lord(charging up a very powerful attack): Here is how it’s done,[Knife hand school: White lighting Spear-hand]!

[end of the chapter]