Chapter 2: Overthrow The Demonic Sect

A massive surge of energy writhed violently inside my body, threatening to burst out.

Then, the uncontrollable opposing energies tore through the blocked meridians and ran rampant, swirling wildly throughout my body.

The frenzied energy, branching out like tendrils, pierced through the Conception and Governor Vessels, which had been clogged with turbid qi.

In the human body, there are pathways through which qi flows.

The Conception and Governor Vessels—collectively known as the Ren-Du Meridians—are like the highways of these pathways.

Having them unblocked means that the internal energy from the dantian can circulate freely throughout the body.

In other words, the true qi pooled in the dantian will never dry up, and high-level techniques can now be executed with ease.

At the same time, all the minor meridians were also cleared.

As the meridians opened, the surging innate qi began to be absorbed seamlessly into the finest capillaries, spreading to every corner of the body.

The physical foundation of the Pure Spirit Body had been completed.

The sensation of clarity reached its peak.

The transformation of the body was happening moment by moment.

The natural qi absorbed through the meridians steadily filled the dantian.

If refined and processed natural qi is called internal energy, then unprocessed, pure qi is referred to as natural qi.

The Spirit Attuned Body is one that absorbs natural qi.

Now that the Spirit Attuned Body was fully activated, Cheongun no longer needed to refine or process natural qi.

Since he could freely wield the natural qi permeating the world, there was no reason to accumulate internal energy.

“Wow.”

Cheongun couldn’t help but marvel.

His body felt so light it was as if he might float away.

The once-empty dantian was now flooded with the surging natural qi.

The overflowing energy was expelled through the meridians in the form of mist.

[Unique Trait: Demon Sect Crusade! is now active.]

Text floated before his eyes.

A faint, bloodthirsty smile crept onto Cheongun’s lips.

No martial artist in the real world could break through realms like this.

But in a game, it was possible.

And, coincidentally, this was the world of a game.

So, Cheongun quickly adapted to his transformation.

Grinning, he swung the fishing line in his hand left and right.

Crash—!

The fishing line, imbued with internal energy, released a tangible sword aura, clawing at the ground.

Namgung Yul’s jaw dropped, and Seoncheon, witnessing a realm he had only heard of in legends, couldn’t even breathe loudly.

A bratty little beggar.

That was Seoncheon’s first impression of Cheongun.

At best, he seemed like a street thug who knew a thing or two about internal energy.

His aura, his presence—everything about him felt insignificant.

But now, that perception was being uprooted and replaced with an entirely different possibility.

‘Holy shit! He’s a master!’

To wield a thin fishing line like a rigid sword was already astonishing, but to infuse it with such a vivid sword aura and release it?

This was no ordinary master—this was someone who had at least reached the pinnacle of martial arts.

Holy shit! How is this even possible?!

A kid who just outgrew his adolescence, already at the pinnacle?!

“Excuse me… might you be a revered master from some sect?”

“Why bother asking? You’re about to die anyway.”

Cheongun smirked and took a step forward.

Seoncheon, now a dead man walking, paled and stumbled backward.

The pressure of a bloodthirsty master declaring his death while approaching crushed his heart.

Finally, Seoncheon stomped his foot and shouted.

“Attack!”

At his command, five masked men who had arrived unnoticed burst out from behind the bushes.

Judging by their sword stances and the way they encircled him, they seemed to be elite underlings.

Cheongun lazily swung the fishing rod in his hand.

The fishing line danced through the air as if performing an artful maneuver, then pierced through the foreheads of the masked men one by one, like threading beads.

“Gahk!”

The masked men, their foreheads suddenly punctured, let out colorful death throes before collapsing.

A mere fishing line—not even a sword—had sent five martial artists to the afterlife in a single move.

“Insane!”

Seoncheon blanched at Cheongun’s overwhelming prowess and hastily activated his movement technique.

In an instant, Cheongun crossed a distance of about three meters and appeared right in front of Seoncheon.

It was as if he had teleported.

Terrified, Seoncheon twisted his body in panic, only to trip and fall.

“!!!”

I’m dead.

I’m really going to die!

“P-please spare me!”

“Why not just die quietly?”

The brutal handiwork of skewering five men with a fishing line.

A youthful, almost childlike appearance.

And that eccentric personality and speech.

This man was undoubtedly a demonic master who had undergone rebirth through the legendary Bone Forging and Marrow Washing!

“W-why are you doing this to a fellow demonic practitioner?!”

“Tch! Who the hell said I’m demonic?!”

“Guhk!”

Cheongun punched Seoncheon outright.

He held back enough to avoid killing him outright, then proceeded to pummel every part of his body.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

No techniques, just pure beating.

He punched, punched, and punched again.

Because he still had questions for the man.

“Old man.”

“Y-yes?”

“You’re from the Demon Sect, right?”

How did he—?

Sa Un-cheon swallowed hard.

“Well?”

“Y-yes!”

“Then why are you here?”

“I-I may have once been part of the Demon Sect, but that’s in the past! Now, I’m with the Black Forest Gate—”

“So, you’re not with the Demon Sect anymore?”

“T-that’s correct.”

Cheongun nodded.

Even if he washed his past, a demonic practitioner was still a demonic practitioner.

The system’s accuracy was, as expected, beyond doubt.

“Then you’re just a nobody among demonic practitioners?”

“Yes.”

“You probably don’t know anything worthwhile, huh?”

“T-that’s also correct.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Cheongun sighed and stood up.

“Tsk. What a waste.”

“P-please, just spare my life—”

Before he could finish, Cheongun lazily swung the fishing line.

At the same time, the stealthily flying line pierced through Sa Un-cheon’s forehead.

The condensed sword aura embedded in the line burrowed into his brain, shredding his cerebral meridians.

Guhk—!

Seoncheon vomited a mouthful of blood, shuddered violently, then collapsed.

The light in his eyes faded, and he fell face-first to the ground.

“……”

Namgung Yul, who had been watching silently, turned pale.

There was no particular technique involved.

She just swung the fishing rod casually, and martial artists dropped like autumn leaves.

She had never imagined encountering an absolute master like this in such a manner.

‘This… is an opportunity!’

Big fish swim in big waters.

But sometimes, there exist reclusive masters who have detached themselves from worldly fame, fortune, and even the dichotomy of righteousness and evil.

The man before her was undoubtedly one such recluse.

His youthful appearance was likely due to the legendary Reverse Aging rejuvenation.

“Are you alright?”

Cheongun bent down and asked.

“I’m Namgung Yul. Thank you for saving my life.”

“No problem.”

“Might I ask for your name, Great Master?”

“Cheongun.”

“Great Master Cheong.”

Namgung Yul clasped her fists in salute.

Cheongun casually returned the gesture, then got straight to the point.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“I’m in a bit of a hurry. I skipped fishing today to save you, and now I’ve got the Black Forest Gate or whatever on my tail. I’ll have to relocate.”

Huh?

Namgung Yul didn’t understand.

A martial artist of Great Master Cheong’s caliber could wipe out the entire Black Forest Gate without breaking a sweat.

“So, this is going to be a huge hassle for me, right?”

“Yes.”

“How did things end up like this?”

“W-well, you saved me when I was in danger…”

“Exactly. That’s the point.”

Only then did she realize the intent behind his question.

Martial artists never forget debts—even minor ones must be repaid.

That was the way of the martial world.

And he had just saved her life.

To accept help and walk away would be a disgrace to any martial artist.

Naturally, she had to fulfill the promised reward.

But.

“Great Master Cheong.”

“Go ahead.”

“I… don’t have any money on me right now.”

Twitch.

A vein bulged on Cheongun’s temple.

Flustered, Namgung Yul hurriedly added,

“T-the Justice Alliance’s branch is about a day’s journey from here! If you accompany me there, I’ll definitely pay you the promised reward.”

“Hmm…”

Cheongun nodded vigorously.

A single gold coin was worth a day’s trip.

This much after-service was trivial.

“Alright. I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you so much, Great Master Cheong.”

“Let’s get going, then.”

Namgung Yul glanced sideways at Cheongun’s face.

The moment she promised the reward, color returned to his complexion, and his expression brightened.

“Heh heh heh.”

Cheongun let out his signature sinister chuckle and started walking.

Namgung Yul stared blankly at his retreating figure, bewildered.

“…”

What’s with him?

Wasn’t he supposed to be a reclusive master?

He seemed way too obsessed with material gains for someone detached from worldly affairs…