Book 3 Chapter 11

Meeting Jin Seong-gon and Im Seong-jin

"Tsk tsk, you have so much energy left. You're really wasting it on useless things."

As a deep voice was heard from behind them once again,

Only then did Biryu-yeon, Hyo-ryong, and Jang Hong turn their heads back.

There stood a man of immense build, holding a dark, stout club in one hand.

His thick, short neck was striking.

"Who are you?"

Hyo-ryong, standing beside Biryu-yeon, asked.

"Me? I'm Im Seong-jin, a third-year student from Cheongwan, wielding the Trembling Star Club (震星棍). Nice to meet you."

The man introduced himself, exuding an overwhelming presence with his tree-trunk-like arms and legs, thick neck, and large face. Examining the black club in his hand, it was surprisingly made of steel and looked incredibly thick and heavy.

"You have a peculiar weapon. It must be heavy, right?"

Hyo-ryong, unable to suppress his curiosity about the unusual and seemingly crude weapon, asked. While many in the martial arts world used clubs as weapons, no one wielded one as thick and heavy as this man's. Usually, they were made of hard wood.

"Not really, it only weighs 50 geun."

The man said in a nonchalant tone. It hinted at his confidence that he could swing such a weight as easily as a willow branch.

"50 geun?"

"It's really not much."

The exclamations of admiration came from his friends, but the next words were Biryu-yeon's. The man noticed that Biryu-yeon truly considered it insignificant. A look of surprise and great interest appeared on Im Seong-jin's face.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Biryu-yeon."

Biryu-yeon replied with a smile.

"Yes, that's a fine name. But why are those guys fighting again? It's not a new thing, but today it feels particularly dangerous."

The emotional clashes between the Geomhonhoe and Dobaehoe were not new, but it hadn't been this filled with killing intent recently.

"That's something we can't know. However, if you're looking for a trivial cause, it could be said that the issue of this friend, Hyo-ryong, joining a club, was the starting point."

"What? Joining!"

Im Seong-jin put on an expression of great shock. Then he quickly said,

"It's better to quit. If you join a place like that, you'll spend your days and nights in gang fights. What's the fun in life then? It's best not to join such a boring and dull place. Absolutely."

Im Seong-jin said, shaking his head repeatedly with a skeptical attitude. His tone was filled with concern.

"Is that so?"

"Of course, seeing people join such places is like digging their own graves. In other words, it's like carrying gunpowder and jumping into a fire."

Im Seong-jin advised in a scolding tone. He then passionately argued, listing 22 reasons why those two places were clubs to be absolutely avoided.

"Do you understand now?"

Anyone who had just heard Im Seong-jin's passionate speech would have been convinced. Biryu-yeon and Hyo-ryong nodded. Only then did a satisfied smile spread across Im Seong-jin's lips.

"Then, is there anywhere you would recommend, senior?"

Before Biryu-yeon could finish his sentence, Im Seong-jin replied as if he had been waiting for that question.

"Of course. Join our club. We are truly the best club in Cheongwan. It's a place that ignites the heart of a man."

"Where is such an amazing place? If such an amazing place truly exists, I want to go there by any means possible, as long as it's not paid."

Biryu-yeon asked, his eyes sparkling like stars with excitement. Biryu-yeon originally had boundless interest only in things that were free, or gratis, or what were called "tendrils." The problem was that other things were outside his interest.

"Of course, it's not something that costs money, so don't worry. You'll know if you follow me. Before that…"

Im Seong-jin's gaze shifted to So Cheon-gun and Gu Chang, who were still pointlessly wasting their energy. Their faces were glistening with sweat, and they were still consuming immense energy without yielding an inch. If it continued any longer, neither of them would be safe.

"I suppose I should put an end to this unpleasant sight."

Having said that, Im Seong-jin approached them. It was an extremely dangerous action. Im Seong-jin strode fearlessly to the very edge of the area where formless energies were raging, and without hesitation, thrust his club into that space. Slowly, his club extended forward. Soon, Im Seong-jin's club began to gradually encroach into the flickering formless energies.

He was now entering a space where formless energies were raging, one of the things martial artists feared most. If he made a mistake, he could suffer internal injuries or, in severe cases, even lose his life. It was an act that could not be described as anything less than great courage and boldness.

While he wasn't emitting formless energies that were fatally powerful because he wasn't a peak master, it was still a dangerous act. It possessed enough power to inflict considerable harm on the body.

Disregarding those facts, his steel club passed through the space between the two men very slowly. There was no hesitation or wavering. Instantly, the space began to tremble. The intervention of a third party in the evenly matched tug-of-war battle between the two sides caused a change in the situation. Im Seong-jin's club vibrated violently. Passing through between the two was the same as taking on both of their formless energies. Im Seong-jin thrust his club, which had been entering as slowly as the passage of time, forward like a flash.

"Boom!"

A deafening roar that shook the heavens erupted, and thick dust rose, enveloping the surroundings. A powerful roar, so loud it felt like eardrums would burst, swept through the area, and a shockwave struck Biryu-yeon and his companions.

"Will they be alright?"

Hyo-ryong, curious about the outcome in the center shrouded in thick dust, asked, looking at Biryu-yeon.

"He must have confidence since he intervened. Surely, he didn't act recklessly without any plan? He doesn't seem like the type to take such foolish risks…"

Biryu-yeon said, watching the origin of the shockwave as the dust slowly cleared.

"If they die there, it would truly be a dog's death."

"I agree with that statement."

Finally, the dust, which had risen like thick morning mist, completely cleared, and the situation became clear to their eyes. Fortunately, it seemed everyone had avoided a dog's death, but they weren't entirely unscathed. Judging by the thin streaks of blood flowing from the corners of So Cheon-gun and Gu Chang's mouths, both seemed to have suffered minor internal injuries. However, it didn't seem like something to worry too much about.

Their clothes were tattered. The only person who was unharmed was Im Seong-jin. Indeed, he was a person with skills worth relying on. Seeing him standing proudly with his steel club extended straight, Biryu-yeon let out a short exclamation of admiration.

"He's truly crude."

"It's rough, but highly effective."

Im Seong-jin said with a smirk. It seemed he had heard Biryu-yeon's words. They had expected a thank you, but So Cheon-gun and Gu Chang closed their mouths like clams, turned their backs, and went their separate ways.

"Tsk tsk, they left without even a word of thanks. I didn't think they were that rude."

Jang Hong sharply criticized their impoliteness. After all, it was natural to express gratitude to Im Seong-jin, who had ended their standoff. But to disappear without a word of thanks to someone who might have saved their lives? It was the height of rudeness. Jang Hong shook his head with an expression of incomprehension.

Im Seong-jin didn't seem particularly disheartened by their rudeness. Having finished his business, Im Seong-jin turned to Biryu-yeon and his companions and said,

"Well! Shall we go then!"