Chapter 104: Say No to Cultists

The Three Martial Association was the largest Hunter organization in China. Some of its members even worked in both countries. However, their primary job was to operate covertly and clean up the dirty work for large corporations or even the nation.

Hunters who’d transcended human limitations had only appeared in the past few decades. Nevertheless, the history of the Three Pure Ones, the origin of the Three Martial Association, dated back to over 500 years ago. They wielded a vital force called qi and used martial arts as a medium to channel it efficiently. Nowadays, we’d refer to them as Qigong-type Hunters.

They faced scrutiny and pressure from authorities, which was simply the way things were in both the West and the East. The Three Martial Association survived because they were sensitive to information. They’d planted secret agents, called Black Demons, in various parts of the world.

The Black Demons would nip any information or individuals that might pose a threat to them in the bud. Hence, they were indispensable to the Three Martial Association. They’d train in a place called the Black Moon Hall. As of now, 251 Black Demons had passed the entire training period, and despite their young age, they were all sharp and expert killers.

There was a foreigner among them. A girl with an ordinary appearance and a large build, yet seemed as gentle as a lamb. The leader of the Black Moon Hall stood in front of her.

“Xu Zhu! It’s a shame that despite your excellent physique, your qi was distorted during training. Do you know why we keep you alive despite that?”

The girl briefly shuddered at the leader’s ferocious aura, before mustering an answer. “I-it’s because of the benevolent grace from our leader and the Three Pure Ones!”

Smirk—

The scorpion-like leader sneered. “You’ll be sent to the Hunter Academy in Korea from now on. Did you know? Seven years ago, there was a traitor in there.”

Gulp!

Xu Zhu swallowed nervously.

“We took pity on that orphan and raised him with great care, and yet that was how he repaid us! Since then, the policy of this organization has changed slightly. We no longer bought orphans and prostitutes to train. Instead, we opted for filial children like you. Xu Zhu, you have a sickly mother, right?”

“Yes! She’s doing well, thanks to the grace of our leader and the medicine provided by the organization!”

Xu Zhu recalled her past. Her mother deteriorated from the shock of losing their father in an accident. As a child, she grew up in a small room of no more than 3-pyeong, often having to go without food. Then, like a miracle, the leader took them in, claiming to be an acquaintance of her father.

The leader nodded. “You’re indebted to us. Normally, a straggler like you would’ve been discarded, but we gave you an identity and martial prowess. So, how do you repay the organization?”

“I-I pledge my loyalty! I shall serve the Three Pure Ones and the Thee Martial Association with my life!”

The leader of the Black Moon Hall grabbed Xu Zhu by her shoulder.

“Yes, this is it. People with loved ones to protect won’t turn against the organization. Xu Zhu, we let you live because we have expectations of you. I sure hope you’ll live up to them, even if it’s for the sake of yourself and your mother. Do you understand?”

Xu Zhu shouted at the top of her lungs, “Yes!”

***

It had been three years since Xu Zhu infiltrated the Hunter Academy in Korea. She’d gather information on those who betrayed the organization or fled after learning martial arts. She also regularly reported on the talents at the Hunter Academy—those who could pose a threat or be recruited by the organization.

Other than that, Xu Zhu was allowed to live her life as an ordinary student. Despite spending three years here, the organization hadn’t given her any special orders, as if they’d forgotten about her existence.

But then, a man called Yu Il-Shin showed up at the school. The traitor who was wanted by the organization, Sword Demon, was also with him.

After Lee Geun-Wook suffered a serious injury, Yu Il-Shin took over as a substitute teacher. Such a mysterious man he was! He might seem lazy at first, but he turned out to be quite powerful. He’d evolved Ko Myeong-Ji’s summoned creature, saved the students from an SS-rank monster that wreaked havoc in the academy, and even cured Xu Zhu’s distorted qi!

As his healing power swept through her body, stabilizing her qi, Xu Zhu regained hope. To her, Yu Il-Shin was the incarnation of Hua Tuo!

With this, I can master the martial arts of the organization properly!

It was something she didn’t even dare to dream of before.

The Three Martial Association operated under a strict law-of-the-jungle system: the stronger the martial artist, the higher their status. It’d been three years since she last saw her mother, and due to the latter’s worsening sickness, it’d been difficult to talk on the phone.

She wanted to go home. Ever since then, Xu Zhu started practicing martial arts seriously. She had an innate gift for it, allowing her to improve at an alarming rate. Becoming an A-rank Hunter might not be so far off after all!

Mr. Yu Il-Shin, thank you so much!

She was indebted to him. Whenever he dozed off under the sunshine while letting the students self-study, she’d gaze at him in admiration, as if looking at the compassionate Buddha!

Thus, Xu Zhu omitted Yu Il-Shin and Sword Demon from her regular reports to the Three Martial Association. She did it just in case it might affect his personal life in the future.

But then, the battle between him and Shin Yoo happened. The enchanting red aura from the Plum Blossom Sword Technique he’d used matched the technique of Mount Hua Sect, practiced by the Three Martial Association!

Xu Zhu tried her best to conceal the information, but it turned out that she wasn’t the only Black Demon sent to the Hunter Academy in Korea!

“Why didn’t you report about the top-secret sword technique to the higher-ups?!”

A figure, cloaked in black robes and concealed behind a black mask, snuck inside Xu Zhu’s dormitory.

“This can be considered as an act of betrayal!”

“B-betrayal?! N-no, I never intended to...!”

Another Black Demon cut Xu Zhu off. “Enough excuses. Soon, someone from the organization will arrive to retrieve the lost secret book.”

He tossed the Teleportation Talisman to Xu Zhu.

“This is your last chance. Prove your loyalty with this, for you and your mother’s sake.”

What other choice did Xu Zhu have?

***

Shudder!

Xu Zhu trembled violently, not daring to look up. She hadn’t expected the organization to send these monsters to retrieve the Mount Hua Sect's sword technique?!

The kind-looking, middle-aged monk was Dae Gak, a Shaolin member and descendant of the Fist Martial. Meanwhile, the fierce-looking man with a huge sword slung over his back was Peng Murim of the Hubei Peng family. He was the descendant of the Dagger Martial and had mastered the family’s ultimate technique.

With the exception of the revered Three Pure Ones of the Three Martial Association, most of the true masters had arrived.

“Is that the one who stole the sword technique? He looks more ordinary than I thought.”

“Don’t let your guard down, Mr. Peng.”

“

Uhm,

from the way you talk, you sound like Chinese? What’s with that getup? Are you shooting a martial arts film? Do you speak Korean?”

However, it seemed like Yu Il-Shin still hadn’t figured out the current situation.

“Um, ni hao ma(

Hello

)? Ni chi fan le ma(

Have you had lunch

)? I’m not cursing you, by the way.

Haha

.”

“M-Mister.” Xu Zhu broke out into a cold sweat. “They are from the Three Martial Association. I know you’re skilled, but you’re asking for trouble by provoking them. If you give up Mount Hua Sect’s sword treasure, I’ll do everything I can to ensure your safe return. So, please cooperate...”

“Three Martial Association? I think I’ve heard about them before...

Ah!

”

After contemplatively stroking his chin for a few moments, Yu Il-Shin suddenly lit up

Of course he’d have heard about the infamous Three Martial Association

, Xu Zhu thought.

But the reality was slightly different, as Yu Il-Shin had recalled his conversation with Shin Yoo during their battle.

“...‘Sword God’? I did hear that the Three Martial Association is a cult, but... Kang Geom, you’re still stuck in there, huh? No, you’re even more...”

“Yes! Shin Yoo mentioned the Three Martial Association before! So that’s why you fell into a slump, Xu Zhu! You should’ve told me earlier!”

“Mister?” Xu Zhu trembled.

Yu Il-Shin gripped her shoulders tightly and shouted like a passionate teacher. “Don’t worry, Xu Zhu! I will definitely save you from this cult!”

“

U-uh,

I think you misunderstood...”

Dae Gak and Peng Murim frowned in unison.

“It seems that he won’t surrender without a fight.”

“It can’t be helped. Let’s take care of this quickly before Ms. Lin arrives.”

As Dae Gak stepped forward, he took a stance as if he was riding a horse. Then, he spread his arms wide, clasping his hands together while staring at Yu Il-Shin.

“Come forward. Show me, Dae Gak, the descendant of the Fist Martial, your martial arts.”

An overwhelming aura, like Buddha bringing ten thousand demons to their knees, emanated from Dae Gak.

“

Hic!”

Xu Zhu gasped as if she was being crushed by a giant boulder. Meanwhile, Yu Il-Shin only watched Dae Gak with nonchalance.

“Come on, now, Monk. Even if you plead with me, cults are a ‘no’ for me.” Yu Il-Shin waved his hand dismissively.

“Demon Subduing Arhat’s Fist!”

Slam!

Taking it as an answer, Dae Gak stomped diagonally on the ground. Like a proper S-rank Qigong-type Hunter, he wrapped his hand with qi.

Plat!

Dae Gak drove his fist into Yu Il-Shin’s stomach!

“Skill Sharing, Il-Ho’s Strong Body.”

Crack!

Of course, Dae Gak’s fist broke.

“I-Indestructible Body!” Dae Gak threw his head up, not even registering the pain from his crushed fist.

As Yu Il-Shin transformed into a giant, steel-like muscles covered his entire body. Then, with the face of a Yaksha, he looked down at Dae Gak.

“Straight up resorting to violence! You’re definitely a cultist!”

Yu Il-Shin raised his fist and slammed it into Dae Gak’s head.

“

Blegh!

”

Along with that bizarre scream, unbecoming of a monk, Dae Gak fell to the ground. He’d collapsed with his tongue sticking out.

I-in under a second?

Xu Zhu stared at Dae Gak in shock. She knew that her teacher was strong, but not

this

strong?!

“D-Dae Gak?”

Peng Murim was flustered. In a haste, he drew out his sword.

“Y-you! You played dirty, didn’t you?! But I’m not like Dae Gak!

Heyaaaa!

”

Pzzz!

“

Ughhhh...

” Xu Zhu was struck with horror.

“This is the Hubei Peng family’s ultimate skill, the Primordial Chaos Thunderbolt Sword! Not a single soul has ever succeeded in parrying this attack! What are you going to do?!”

Living up to its name, a bolt of tremendous lightning had formed around Peng Murim’s sword, threatening to engulf heaven and earth.

Xu Zhu was quite a distance away now, yet the powerful lightning qi still made her tingle all over. She couldn’t imagine the destructive power that skill held!

Xu Zhu couldn’t help but call out to her teacher. “P-please run, Teacher!”

Yu Il-shin merely looked at Peng Murim like an insect, before pointing a finger at him.

“Skill Sharing, Sung Mi-Ri’s Thunderbolt.”

Flash! Bam bam bam!

Then, an incomparable lightning attack engulfed Peng Murim. “

Aaargh!

”

Peng MuRim collapsed to the ground like a tree burnt to charcoal.

“

Hm

, Ms. Sung Mi-Ri’s skill is so much stronger now that she’s an S-rank Hunter.

Gosh

, my hand is all numb.” Yu Il-Shin shook his hand and turned to Xu Zhu, “Are you alright, Xu Zhu?”

Did Yu Il-Shin just defeat the true masters of the organization in less than a day?! Xu Zhu felt like she was dreaming. Dae Gak and Peng Murim weren’t registered as Hunters, but they were on par with S-rank Hunters.

“Just wait for a bit. After I tie them up, we can have a talk.”

Yu Il-Shin fished out his phone, about to buy some items from the God’s Shop to subdue them. But then...

“

Ugh

, these imbeciles. They left me out only to get their asses handed to them.” A figure speaking fluent Korean emerged from the fog.

Slash slash! Roll!

Dae Gak and Peng Murim were decapitated, and their heads rolled away on the ground.

“...What?” Yu Il-Shin was flustered at the sudden turn of events.

Slash!

A terrifyingly stealthy, sharp sword qi pierced through Xu Zhu’s neck.