100 Floors All Master - Chapter 134

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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All Master of 100 Floors Episode 134

 

27th Floor. Murim (3)

 

“Hmm.”

 

“If those are the conditions…”

 

The Martial Artists seemed to agree with the conditions Taesaek Jicheon had proposed. The one who had stepped forward asked a question.

 

“Then how do you plan to determine the order?”

 

“Do as you please. Those who are ready can come forward first and demonstrate.”

 

“…Wait a moment. You want us to demonstrate our martial arts in front of outsiders?”

 

“Then are you telling me to dismiss all these people and bring them one by one? I’ll die of old age before I can see them all.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon spoke jokingly. The Martial Artists were flustered. The Geumbok Mountain Heir frowned.

 

“Nonsense. For a Martial Artist, martial arts are more precious than life itself. You want us to demonstrate such things in front of all these people?”

 

“I hate to agree with a nouveau riche, but I concur.”

 

The short-haired beauty, Baekcheon Aryang, nodded her head.

 

Martial arts were fundamentally confidential. Having one’s sword forms countered was a matter of life and death, so they were kept thoroughly secret.

 

To demonstrate such things in front of all these people. It was like being told to open a safe and leave it in a back alley. Understanding their concern, Taesaek Jicheon continued leisurely.

 

“You don’t need to use sword forms. Just the forms. Basic postures. Profound principles without internal energy. That will be sufficient.”

 

“You claim you can discern the strengths and weaknesses of martial arts from just that? How arrogant.”

 

Baekcheon Aryang spoke in a clear voice. Her face was filled with conviction.

 

“I came out of curiosity, but as expected, you’re just a smooth-talking fraud.”

 

She hadn’t come to Taesaek Jicheon to receive teachings in martial arts.

 

She had come to see his true nature.

 

Eyes that could see through all martial arts. Making the Ten Great Masters submit. It was all just boasting. Her purpose was to shatter those rumors with her own hands.

 

Taesaek Jicheon spoke without any change in expression.

 

“If you don’t believe me, you may leave. I didn’t call you here in the first place, so I have no intention of stopping you.”

 

“No. It would be troublesome if you escaped like that. You said martial arts forms would suffice? Let’s see you analyze this.”

 

Baekcheon Aryang stepped forward and stomped her foot. She exhaled and slowly moved her fists. One of Murim’s Hundred Great Masters, Baekcheon Aryang’s martial arts were being displayed.

 

[It’s a fist technique that mimics the form of beasts.]

 

Manbyeonggi muttered.

 

[The arm movements are a trap. The leg movements are the main martial art. It’s martial arts more suited for assassination than frontal combat.]

 

“You can tell from just those movements?”

 

[It’s not particularly complex martial arts. Rather simple, actually. You’ll be able to tell too once you get a bit more familiar with it.]

 

“I doubt it.”

 

Kang Jun-hyeok had an ambiguous expression. Even he, whose Observation Skill proficiency had reached B rank, couldn’t determine the answer from just those movements.

 

It wasn’t just him. All the Martial Artists present had puzzled faces.

 

It was natural. What she had just displayed were simple forms. Discerning the strengths and weaknesses of martial arts from that was like looking at a modern cell phone and understanding its structure. Manbyeonggi figuring it out immediately was what was strange.

 

After observing the forms, Taesaek Jicheon continued languidly.

 

“Martial arts that mimic the form of beasts. It’s crude. It doesn’t interest me.”

 

[Oh?]

 

Interest arose in Manbyeonggi’s voice. Baekcheon Aryang’s face hardened.

 

“N-nonsense.”

 

“Martial arts that imitate the forms of beasts. At its center are the tiger. And the wolf.”

 

“…Wait.”

 

“Outwardly it claims to be a fist technique, but in reality leg techniques are important. You deceive with your footwork and approach your opponent. And…”

 

“Stop! Stop it!”

 

Baekcheon Aryang cried out urgently with a pale face. From that reaction alone, people could tell. That Taesaek Jicheon’s words were the truth.

 

Baekcheon Aryang.

 

One of the Hundred Great Masters from a Single-Transmission Sect.

 

Everyone had been curious about what martial arts she had learned. Countless enthusiasts had tried to discover her identity but failed.

 

Yet he had figured it out immediately upon seeing just a simple form.

 

[Your insight is quite useful.]

 

He received recognition from the picky Manbyeonggi. It meant Taesaek Jicheon’s talent was real.

 

Baekcheon Aryang left as if fleeing.

 

Taesaek Jicheon sat down as if exhausted. A leisurely voice echoed in the silence.

 

“Next. Is there anyone else who is curious?”

 

* * *

 

Talent that was too outstanding naturally possessed an alienating quality.

 

Even though everyone had come seeking to learn from Taesaek Jicheon, they began to feel fear and leave one by one.

 

What remained were the Old Man and Kang Jun-hyeok. And the Murim Alliance Leader’s Son’s group. The Murim Alliance Leader’s Son clapped his hands.

 

“Excellent! That was amazing! Truly abilities worthy of your reputation! Taesaek Jicheon!”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I am Cloud Chasing Wind. My name is Geukji Hak! I’m the son of Murim Alliance Leader Geukji Won!”

 

“So you’re the Murim Alliance Leader’s son. Welcome.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon spoke indifferently. At his attitude that didn’t change one bit, Geukji Hak’s eyebrows twitched slightly. But he quickly managed his expression and smiled broadly.

 

“That talent of yours is certainly something special. It would be such a waste to let it rot away so meaninglessly. So I’ll make you a proposal. Would you consider joining the Murim Alliance?”

 

“The Murim Alliance… you say?”

 

“That’s right!”

 

Geukji Hak nodded his head vigorously.

 

“The Murim Alliance is truly the alliance of Murim in name and reality! But those cunning Evil Sect bastards are withdrawing from the Murim Alliance and making noise about creating an Evil Martial Alliance! How lawless is this! If discipline and proper order exist, they shouldn’t be moving in such a way!”

 

Geukji Hak’s fist trembled with anger. Taesaek Jicheon’s expression didn’t change one bit.

 

“So I propose to you who belongs to Murim! Won’t you consider joining the Murim Alliance and using your strength for the peace and well-being of Murim!”

 

“Unfortunately, this humble body merely drifts like duckweed. The peace and well-being of Murim is a story unrelated to me.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon’s answer was a refusal.

 

Perhaps not expecting a refusal, Geukji Hak’s expression hardened.

 

“…War with the Evil Martial Alliance might break out. Are you saying you’ll just watch?”

 

“That’s your burden to bear. Geukji Hak.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon’s eyes were endlessly sunken.

 

“As you said, my talent is special. I can see through all things in the world. What do you think the world looks like to someone like me?”

 

“….”

 

“It’s unbearably boring. In a world where everything is predictable, I merely live because I cannot die. What you mentioned doesn’t seem to be my role.”

 

“…How disappointing. I’m sorry, but there’s no choice. Everything is for the greater cause.”

 

Geukji Hak stepped back and signaled to the Guard Warriors. They stepped forward.

 

“There will be some rough handling for a moment. Don’t resist.”

 

It seemed they intended to drag Taesaek Jicheon away by force.

 

If Taesaek Jicheon were taken by the Murim Alliance, Kang Jun-hyeok would be in trouble. But he didn’t step forward. Even without him, there was someone who would.

 

“That’s far enough.”

 

A deep voice rang out. A sturdy middle-aged man appeared from behind Taesaek Jicheon. Confusion crossed Geukji Hak’s face.

 

“Pungheoldo. Chicheon.”

 

“Stand down. Geukji Hak. You cannot take Taesaek Jicheon.”

 

“…It’s unavoidable for the safety of the Murim Alliance.”

 

“That’s your problem. Not Taesaek Jicheon’s.”

 

“You’ll regret this.”

 

Geukji Hak gritted his teeth and gestured. The Guard Warriors hastily retreated. Even they couldn’t overcome one of the Ten Great Masters. Watching their departing figures, the Old Man made a fuss.

 

“My goodness. The Murim Alliance wants Taesaek Jicheon! And the Evil Martial Alliance too? I heard rumors, but I never thought they were true!”

 

“You seem excited.”

 

“How could I not be excited after hearing such an interesting story! Leaving us behind means the Murim Alliance wants this story to spread!”

 

“Hmm.”

 

‘Did this happen?’

 

What he knew was Taesaek Jicheon’s talent and that he died unable to overcome his illness. He didn’t know what happened in between.

 

“What a windfall!”

 

The Old Man looked extremely pleased. For a storyteller like him, there could be no greater jackpot. He grinned broadly and patted Kang Jun-hyeok’s shoulder.

 

“Both you and I hit the jackpot. I should head back now.”

 

“Please go ahead. I still have business to attend to.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Kang Jun-hyeok stepped forward. Taesaek Jicheon looked at him with a tired face.

 

“Do you also have business with me?”

 

“I want to learn about martial arts.”

 

“Let me see what you can do.”

 

There was no interest in Taesaek Jicheon’s voice. His expression showed not the slightest expectation for whatever martial arts Kang Jun-hyeok might display.

 

Kang Jun-hyeok lightly steadied his breathing.

 

The second Profound Principle.

 

Self-Power Unity.

 

The moment his physical strength unified into one, Taesaek Jicheon’s pupils dilated.

 

Thud!

 

He hastily rose to his feet. Pungheoldo, who was behind him, quickly caught him.

 

“Taesaek Jicheon. What’s wrong?”

 

But his words didn’t reach Taesaek Jicheon’s ears. He stared at Kang Jun-hyeok blankly, as if entranced.

 

[As expected, quite useful.]

 

Manbyeonggi muttered cheerfully.

 

“…That is, that is. That is.”

 

After fumbling for a long while, Taesaek Jicheon finally managed to ask.

 

“You. What have you learned?”

 

“Martial arts. Did you notice?”

 

“…I don’t know. Those movements. Those principles. Those profound mysteries. Even though I clearly saw them, I cannot understand. Where on earth did you learn such martial arts…”

 

Taesaek Jicheon shook his head.

 

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can teach you your martial arts. I cannot understand them either.”

 

“No.”

 

Kang Jun-hyeok smiled faintly.

 

“You seem to be perfect for this. At least you realized that you cannot understand. I don’t even know that much.”

 

“…What?”

 

Strange words. Confusion appeared on Taesaek Jicheon’s face. Kang Jun-hyeok continued gently.

 

“Would it be alright if I came in?”

 

Taesaek Jicheon slowly nodded. The faces of the Old Man and Pungheoldo, who were watching, twisted grotesquely.

 

* * *

 

“So.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon, who had heard Kang Jun-hyeok’s story, let out a groan.

 

“You handle martial arts, but don’t understand them?”

 

“I merely handle abilities that were given to me. I haven’t perfectly understood them or gained enlightenment.”

 

“How is such a thing even possible… Did you receive them through some special ritual?”

 

“Something like that.”

 

“Huh.”

 

Taesaek Jicheon made a pained sound. After slowly calming his confusion, he asked carefully.

 

“You came to find me to gain understanding of your martial arts that even you cannot comprehend.”

 

“Would it be possible?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Confusion appeared in Taesaek Jicheon’s eyes. But at the same time, there was a faint heat contained within them.

 

Taesaek Jicheon.

 

One who sees through all martial arts in the world.

 

But martial arts he cannot understand are right before his eyes.

 

“…The being who bestowed martial arts upon you probably wouldn’t want it known to outsiders.”

 

[It doesn’t matter. If you understand, I’d rather burst into praise. Not a single martial artist I’ve met could understand my martial arts.]

 

“Rather, that’s what he desires, so there’s no problem.”

 

Manbyeonggi spoke cheerfully. At Kang Jun-hyeok’s answer, Taesaek Jicheon pondered, but his contemplation didn’t last long. He slowly nodded. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled faintly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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