Once, during training, my father said.
-In the Central Plains, there are individuals known as the Seven Irons and Three Fists.
Heat hot enough to scorch.
It was a somewhat baffling remark to make amidst heat that could more than heat up the training room.
-Out of the blue?
I said it was abrupt, but my father continued as if he didn't care.
When training with my father, things like this often happened.
He would speak of things unasked.
Sometimes it even reached the point where I thought he was a bit talkative.
Even so, I never spat out a reprimand asking why he did that.
How should I put it.
-They are ones who showed their strength during the war against the Evil Sect decades ago.
It was because I felt this kind of situation wasn't so bad.
-Huashan's Plum Blossom Immortal was one. So were Wudang's Sword Immortal and Zhejiang's Fist Emperor. The late Qinghai Single Sword was also among them.
Besides that, words about a few other figures continued.
I had to sense a peculiar nuance there.
He attached honorifics to Plum Blossom Immortal, Qinghai Single Sword, and one other.
But to the rest of the Seven Irons and Three Fists, he used a tone bordering on condescension.
-Their strength is formidable. Each one is like a moving aristocratic family.
-I see.
-If you ever meet them, be careful. It's not just their power; their minds are also deep and sharp.
I'm sorry, but Family Head.
Your son doesn't lose in that department either.
I barely held back from saying that.
-Then, are you saying they are stronger than you?
I spat it out as a joke.
I knew to some extent that they were no match to begin with.
However, hearing this, my father stared at me quietly and said this.
-It might tickle a bit.
-...
Spoken so calmly, it felt real, making it even scarier.
Anyway.
Perhaps because of the meeting happening now.
The memory of that time suddenly comes to mind.
Afterward, I erased the recollection and looked straight ahead.
An elegantly aged old woman sat in front of me.
She was the Seven Irons and Three Fists my father spoke of.
A figure who was among the Three Fists (三拳) of that group.
Fenyue Fist Immortal (粉月拳仙).
One of the Top Ten Experts of the Central Plains.
One of the Three Fists (三拳) of the Seven Irons and Three Fists.
This was the old woman's identity.
They say she is over eighty years old, and she is one of the figures who lived through the era of the war against the Evil Sect.
Also, she is the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, one of the Nine Sects and One Faction.
And she was a heroine representing the Central Plains.
The characteristic of her martial arts was said to be heavy fist strikes that embodied the features of the Buddhist sect, wasn't it?
'Fist strikes from those thin arms.'
Just having an unbent back at over eighty is remarkable enough.
But those skinny forearms, showing no signs of muscle, looked completely devoid of strength no matter how I looked.
A dignified old woman.
A grandmother running a wealthy merchant guild.
She roughly gave off that kind of vibe.
'Hmm...'
Looking at such an old woman, I secretly swallowed a groan.
Her bone-thin body, sipping tea with dry fingertips—she truly looked like a powerless old woman.
'It's only on the outside. It's not like that on the inside.'
She was not a person who was merely weak.
Do you know what kind of people you shouldn't trust the most in the Central Plains?
They are women and the elderly.
The bastards who ignorantly piled up only martial arts mostly had their dicks merged with their brains, so there were many beast-like ones.
The ones who seemed to have some brains would use this to deploy honey traps.
That was the case even for the Murim Alliance, and looking at other aristocratic families, it was the reason they kept pretty attendants by their side.
'...The Gu Family is relatively normal, though.'
Still, their insides being rotten was the same. Whether it's the Evil Sect or the Orthodox Sect, the danger was all the same.
Because of that, living warily of women had become a habit for me.
'In my past life, if they did anything to cross me, I used to burn them to death.'
A pretty woman approaches me saying she likes me?
There is nothing more dangerous and warranting more caution.
I couldn't trust them.
And I shouldn't trust them.
'Well, it usually ended at the Demonic Sword Empress's hands before they even approached me, but...'
They said the Alliance sent a few, and hostile factions constantly attempted something too.
Since the Demonic Sword Empress found them an eyesore and sliced them all up, the number of times was relatively low.
Anyway, this meant women in the Central Plains. Especially pretty women, were beings to be wary of.
As for the second reason why the elderly are dangerous, well...
'Simple. The older they are, the stronger they are.'
A martial artist's mental cultivation is based on the years they have refined it.
Since inner qi is supported by breathing, it means strength is proportional to the value of the years lived.
They say a martial artist's physical prime is past the age of forty.
But for inner qi, time is everything.
Ah, of course, it can be supplemented through fortuitous encounters or spiritual pills, but...
'That only increases the quantity. Increasing the quality is a different story.'
Even with the same amount, the meaning contained within is different.
The life lived becomes enlightenment and permeates the qi.
That qi elevates a martial artist's value more than anything else.
'...That is why the Top Ten Experts and the Three Venerables are strong.'
The Six Seats, who are the relatively younger generation among those holding positions now, are based on influence.
The Top Ten Experts and the Three Venerables hold their positions solely through strength.
Counting them, there are thirteen in total.
Seeing that the youngest among them is past sixty, one cannot help but know how terrifying the elderly are in the Central Plains.
'But that grandmother called Fist Immortal falls under both categories.'
A face that must have been beautiful in her youth, plus the sheer number of years lived.
She is a person possessing two extremely dangerous possibilities.
Furthermore.
'She's strong.'
Fenyue Fist Immortal was indeed strong.
I could tell just by looking.
The frailty is only on the outside. The inside is full and robust.
'Right now, two among the Top Ten Experts are known to be close to the Three Venerables.'
Huashan's Plum Blossom Immortal and the Murim Alliance's Sword Emperor.
Having faced those two directly, I was certain.
'This grandmother is not lacking either.'
It didn't mean she was not lacking compared to the Three Venerables.
It just meant that Fist Immortal was absolutely not weak compared to the Sword Emperor.
'She's packed full.'
The qi wondering how it could be contained in that small physique.
And the solid vessel that constituted it.
'No openings.'
Even while sitting and drinking tea, no openings could be seen.
If I ambush her, would I land a hit? A question arises.
Yes, a question.
The fact that a question, not conviction, arises even when trying to ambush her is proof that this old woman is a considerable expert.
Of course, I was the one making it so she couldn't let her guard down, though.
'Hmm.'
Not easy.
Around the time I was thinking that.
"It was a sudden meeting, but I thank you for receiving me like this."
The old woman, Fenyue Fist Immortal, spoke up.
Hearing that, I raised the corners of my mouth.
"It's no one else but the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect. I should make time for you no matter what."
"...Right."
Listening to her calm tone, I asked back this time.
"So... why did the Sect Leader come to find me?"
How surprised was I since the morning.
Already, people were filling up in front of the surrounding lodgings, saying they came to find the Two Dragons.
In the midst of that, if the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect came to find me, how could I not be surprised.
'Not even an elder, but the Sect Leader directly.'
She is someone whose face is hard to see anywhere.
For such a person to visit in person, I had to see her even out of curiosity.
Gulp.
Clack.
The sound of drinking tea and the teacup landing on the table at the same time.
That moment.
Whooosh.
An unknown qi spread throughout the room.
A Qi Membrane.
It seemed Fenyue Fist Immortal had cast a Qi Membrane.
Pop.
Whooooosh-!!
As soon as I felt that, I also spewed qi from my heart.
Devouring the Qi Membrane Fenyue Fist Immortal had cast, it filled the room as it was.
"Huh?"
Seeing this, Fenyue Fist Immortal let out a gasp.
She apparently didn't expect her Qi Membrane to be interfered with.
"I apologize. However, this is strictly my room, so wouldn't it be right for me to cast the Qi Membrane?"
How dare she try to plant qi in my territory.
I had no intention of accommodating it even the slightest bit.
At that, the expression of the woman next to Fist Immortal contorted.
She seemed to be the Sect Leader's guard.
"This brat! How dare you speak to...!"
Clank-!
Perhaps angered by my attitude, she instantly tried to draw her sword.
Swish-!
"!!"
Before that, a sword blade was already touching her neck.
Seong Yul, who was with me, had drawn his sword at some point.
Fast.
That guy, his speed is no joke.
Seeing that, I swallowed a smirk.
'It's right in front of his nose.'
From a matured Pinnacle to somewhere in the Transformation Realm.
Seong Yul's wall, which was in an ambiguous position, had approached right before him.
It looked like a situation where he would cross it if just given a slight push on the back.
"...Ugh..."
Being subdued in an instant, the guard's face turned pale.
She apparently didn't expect Seong Yul to be faster than her.
A somewhat dangerous situation.
I immediately looked at Seong Yul and spoke.
"Sheathe it."
"Yes."
With the order dropped, Seong Yul immediately retrieved his sword. The woman who had been bested contorted her expression.
The only regret was exactly that.
"It's a shame."
"What?"
At my words, the woman's gaze turned to me.
Looking at her, I spat out the words.
"If you had drawn your sword again, I was going to pull it out, arm and all."
"...!"
Quite an insulting remark.
If she has pride, she would immediately draw her sword.
Grit-!
As soon as she thought so, the woman moved her body.
Stop-!
The action couldn't be carried out to the end.
It was because Fist Immortal reached out her hand and prevented the woman from drawing her sword.
"Sect Leader..."
Slap-!
The sound spread through the room.
The woman's head snapped violently to the side.
'Oh.'
I looked at that sight with wonder.
Fist Immortal didn't move. Yet the woman was slapped.
'Did she hit her with Fist Qi? Or.'
Did she hit her with a Heart Fist (心拳).
Too bad, I should have watched with more focus.
'It probably isn't a Heart Fist.'
If she hit her with that, the woman's head wouldn't just turn; she would have been smashed to pieces.
"There won't be a second time. Do not commit any more discourtesy."
"...I apologize..."
At Fist Immortal's words, the woman shrank like a dead mouse.
I was watching that sight with interest.
"I am sorry. The child committed a discourtesy."
"Yes. It was a very great discourtesy. However, seeing the Sect Leader, I will overlook it this once."
"..."
Hearing the words, Fist Immortal's brow furrowed slightly. I didn't care.
"So, for what business did you come to cast even a Qi Membrane?"
"Hahaha..."
Was my attitude the problem? Fist Immortal let out a short laugh.
And then.
"It's fascinating."
I felt a sense of disparity as she spoke. It was because her tone of voice changed subtly.
"About what?"
"It's something I could tell as soon as I saw you, but... why do you."
Fist Immortal's eyes narrowed.
"Not hide your power?"
"Hmm?"
At those words, I tilted my head.
It was an action as if I couldn't understand what she meant.
"Why hide it? It'll be discovered anyway."
"..."
I cannot know the entirety of Fist Immortal's realm.
Even so, I can vaguely grasp it.
Which means.
'The opponent is no different.'
It means Fist Immortal can also see me.
If I hide it, it will show as much, and originally.
'I no longer have any intention of living in hiding.'
Now there was no need for that.
The time had already come.
An opportunity and a justification.
And only a resolution was needed.
In such a situation, why bother hiding or not hiding.
'No, that's not it.'
Having hidden everything that needed to be hidden, this was simply the part that no longer needed to be hidden.
Silence brushed by like that.
After briefly facing each other, the one to speak first again was Fist Immortal.
"...Is that so."
She nodded as if nodding in half-acceptance.
"Divine Dragon this, Two Dragons that. It wasn't the time to be looking elsewhere. The real one was here."
"I will take that as a compliment. So, Sect Leader. I'm asking for the third time already, but why did you come to find me?"
"Young Master Gu."
"Yes."
"I heard that a young lady named Pi Yeonyeon is by your side. Is that true?"
Fortunately, she went straight to the main point.
It was even more fortunate because it was a matter I had anticipated.
"Ah, you mean Lady Pi."
Nodding as if remembering, I thought.
Pi Yeonyeon.
A martial artist born to the Pi family of Xi'an.
It was precisely Bong-soon's alias. With this, it became certain that the Emei Sect was looking for Bong-soon.
Then what should I do.
This too was something I had decided long ago.
"Yes. She is a young lady I am sponsoring."
"Sponsoring?"
At my words, a different light tinged Fist Immortal's eyes.
"I happened to see her while visiting Xi'an. Her talent is outstanding, but her background is regrettable, so I ended up sponsoring her."
Spitting out words without pause, I ran calculations in my mind.
'The target is Bong-soon.'
If there's a question here.
'Is the reason the spiritual artifact... Or, is it Bong-soon herself.'
This part was still ambiguous.
At that time.
"Do you perhaps know?"
Fist Immortal spoke to me.
"Pi Yeonyeon. What kind of existence that child is."
'Oh my.'
Hearing that, I thought inwardly.
I told her to just spit out the main point quickly, but I didn't expect her to immediately drop an even bigger bomb like this.
Nice.
If she does this, I also have to play along.
"Yes. I know."
"...!"
At the unhesitating answer, Fist Immortal's eyes widened.
Her reaction is amusing. Did she not know I would answer like this?
"You know...?"
"Yes. Well... roughly?"
"What do you know-"
"Conversely, do you know, Sect Leader?"
"...!"
"Regarding Lady Pi Yeonyeon. What is it that you know, Sect Leader?"
Two consecutive questions.
With those words, Fist Immortal's mouth was sealed.
'Now, how will you come out?'
What thoughts must be lining up in her head.
She must be agonizing a lot.
This was the predetermined conclusion from the moment I answered that I knew.
I know.
Then what do I know.
Is it the same as what she knows?
Or, does Pi Yeonyeon have something else?
Such doubts will sprout, but she cannot easily ask.
The above possibilities become a problem, ending up sealing her own mouth as well.
'She won't be able to carelessly spill information.'
If what I know and what she knows are different, the only one to suffer a loss is Fist Immortal.
This was the situation created that way.
"Hah... Truly a snake-like child."
Perhaps catching onto this, Fist Immortal spat out with meaning.
I also smiled at hearing that.
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Even presumptuous. Knowing full well that the one before you is Emei's Fist Immortal. Are you not afraid of facing great disaster?"
"I hear such words often, but... considering I'm still alive and well, I think it's a fine attitude. Others have liked it, you see."
Presumptuous. Ill-mannered. Obnoxious. Arrogant.
I've heard all sorts of things, but I've never been punished for it yet.
If they tried to threaten me, I killed them.
If they said they didn't like it, I crushed them.
Gurgle.
I poured tea again into the empty teacup.
"Would you like another cup?"
"...Sure."
Right after pouring for Fist Immortal as well.
"Since Fist Immortal asked me first, I will also ask one thing."
I didn't hear an answer, but it didn't matter.
"Is the Emei Sect's purpose Lady Pi? Or, is it the object she possesses?"
"..."
A point-blank question.
With those words, the air instantly grew heavy.
Creak....
Rattle rattle
The table began to shake rapidly.
"...You."
A heavy qi brushed past my cheek.
Fist Immortal's presence began to gradually intensify.
"Good grief."
Feeling that, I let out a slight sigh.
Why must she keep throwing a fit in someone else's inner room so annoyingly.
Kuwoooo---!!!
I put force into my heart and opened my qi.
Crushing Fist Immortal's presence, I slowly tore away her qi.
She probably didn't expect this either; with not only her Qi Membrane but even her presence suppressed, Fist Immortal's eyes grew as large as lanterns.
Looking at such a Fist Immortal, I spoke.
"The old lady keeps flexing her power. Are you in a hurry to ascend?"
Trying to crush me with power just because I scratched a little, seriously, humans who age poorly are the biggest problem.
Or, is this Central Plains itself the problem?
From what I see, it was both.
Whatever it is, since they are this violent, kind me must always be the one getting bullied.
It's so unfair, how can I live?
Fist Immortal's qi grew thicker and thicker. And my power pressing down on it also grew stronger.
Creak.
A sound was heard from the roof.
At this rate, the lodging was going to collapse.
If I collapsed it, Lady Mi might get angry.
Since I heard from Murong Xia that this was a lodging Lady Mi cherished.
Recalling that, I sighed inwardly.
"Since it's come to this, let's just take it easy, shall we?"
Adjusting my power, I said to Fist Immortal.
"You have something you're curious about me anyway, right, Sect Leader?"
"..."
Fist Immortal's eyes were murderous.
No answer came back, and killing intent was added to her qi.
Ah, this grandmother's temper is filthy.
'So annoying, seriously.'
So I had no choice.
"Since it's come to this, how about we have a match? Neatly?"
"...What?"
"The loser answers the winner's questions. How about it?"
I said with a smile, but.
Fist Immortal's expression contorted beyond measure.