Mucheong.
Located near Transcendent Wind Cliff, a scenic wonder rare even in the world, it was the largest city and the agricultural heart of Great Yue, often called its rice basket.
Naturally, commerce flourished to distribute its agricultural products, making it the most prized location in the heart of the Central Plains, Jeogyang.
And the power that held sway over this place was the Thunderbolt Martial Hall.
One of the Ten Great Sects, revered and praised by all fist and foot martial artists.
Its main hall boasted fifteen hundred elites, and including its outer sects, the number swelled to ten thousand.
True to its name as a Martial Hall, not a single sword sheath or saber rack could be found; instead, vast Fist Arts Training Grounds surrounded the main hall, bustling from dawn until midnight without cease.
With eight external branches within Jeogyang alone, it was safe to say that there were virtually no Martial Families in the heart of Jeogyang that stood outside the shadow of the Thunderbolt Martial Hall.
At the pinnacle of this Thunderbolt Martial Hall was Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, Jin Geng.
However, there was one thing to note.
Originally, a different sect had held this position among the Ten Great Sects.
The renowned Geumyang Family, which had taken root in the heart of Jeogyang, and was called the Number One Family of Jeogyang.
There was a time when the grains of Mucheong flowed into their granaries, and their swords were the law of Jeogyang.
But now, they remained only as a name of the past.
For the one who had taken their old place and established anew was none other than Jin Geng.
He who had entered the Jianghu as a nameless fist fighter from a corner of Jeogyang had, within decades of his debut, raised the Thunderbolt Martial Hall with his own two fists and then, with those same fists, pushed the Geumyang Family out of Mucheong.
It was an achievement hard to believe for a single man to accomplish in his lifetime.
But when people recalled the exploits of the young Jin Geng, they would say it was a great fortune that he had stopped at just that.
His original title was Fist Fighter.
He would wake in the morning and seek out enemies to throw his fists at, and at noon, he would throw his fists at enemies who came seeking him.
Those he could not defeat in the morning or at noon, he would challenge countless times again with his fists.
Naturally, in that process, he had overcome hundreds of near-death crises.
Had he suffered a fatal wound even once in that process, the power structure of Jeogyang would not be as it is today.
Thus, starting as a low-rank martial artist in a corner of Jeogyang, he had eventually become the Number One Fist of Mucheong, and then, in time, came to be called the Number One Fist of Jeogyang and the Sect Master of one of the Ten Great Sects.
He was a man of such a strong fighting spirit and will that many speculated that had the formidable power of the Great Enlightenment Temple not existed in the neighboring region, Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist would still be rampaging as Fist Fighter.
Even to such a man, the chaos unfolding throughout Jeogyang was abnormal.
"They are all running wild like madmen."
To Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, Mucheong was like a vast rice paddy.
Just as a farmer carefully cultivates various grains, including rice, it was a place where he had personally nurtured countless martial artists and continued to manage.
And now, the vicinity of this Mucheong was being thrown into chaos by the intrusion of lawless outsiders.
Just as a harvest can be ruined by a sudden midsummer typhoon, all this was due to the sudden appearance of the Qilin, a Sacred Beast.
"Even with us, with this Thunderbolt Martial Hall, with this Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist here… it cannot be controlled."
A strange and mysterious fate.
Originally, such fortuitous encounters were very rare in this Jianghu.
Therefore, the very nature of martial artists who pursue strength is to anticipate and yearn for these encounters.
Moreover, what if that fortuitous encounter has no master yet, is alive and moving, and its location is clearly known?
It was a situation difficult for anyone to resist.
Frankly, apart from the Vast Heaven Infinite Sword Sect and the Dark Rakshasa Way, who were currently at war, and their neighboring powers, there was likely no one in the Jianghu uninterested in this matter.
The existence of the Qilin was that big of a prize.
A major fortuitous encounter that would attract all, regardless of Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic.
And in a very tangible form at that.
Naturally, this situation was gradually worsening.
Not only were the martial artists in Mucheong all agitated, but martial artists from the outside were also flocking in like a tide.
A while ago, it was just Pyeongnam, but now, even the people of the Jianghu from Pyeongseo were rushing in.
At this rate, it seemed the entire Central Plains, and if more time passed, even the people of the Jianghu from beyond the borders would join the fray.
"Lately… the Central Plains has been flowing in a very strange way."
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, who had been watching the progression of events from the beginning, strongly felt that not just this matter, but the entire situation in the Central Plains was flowing strangely.
Though ordinary martial artists would hardly know, it was a sentiment shared by not only himself but most of the sect masters of the Ten Great Sects.
The traces of Immortals and descended beings felt in various places.
In truth, since he had originally pursued the Way of the Hegemon, he was curious to become stronger, but for such anomalies and miracles to be so openly visible in the Jianghu was historically very rare.
'The Central Plains is definitely changing.'
To him, the Qilin also felt like a part of that change.
They call it a Sacred Beast and treat it as a legend, but according to the research of Jianghu historians, the Qilin is…
Just then.
Someone appeared behind him.
"Father. I have returned."
"Dojeon."
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist looked at his proud son.
The sight, a spitting image of his younger self, was very satisfying.
"Yes, how did it go?"
"It appears the Qilin is currently staying in Transcendent Wind Cliff. Judging by its range of movement, I believe it has no intention of leaving."
"I see. Then how many have gathered to catch it?"
"I heard there are at least a thousand."
A thousand.
For such a number to rush in so disorderly, regardless of Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic.
"Whether it's a Sacred Beast or a Qilin, it is a supernatural object to begin with… And have they neither seen nor heard the records concerning the Qilin?"
— He who tames the Qilin will be followed by the world. He who obtains the Qilin's inner core and flesh will place the world beneath his feet. He who takes the Qilin's bones will stain the world with blood.
It wasn't just these hopeful legends.
Among the old records written by the historians of the Jianghu.
— The Qilin is a treasure that may appear once in a thousand years, but it is a beast that devours a thousand men at once, calls ten thousand more, and swallows them all.
Though detailed records do not remain, this record clearly stated that the entire Jianghu in the area where it appeared was stained with blood.
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, though a representative martial artist who had fought countless battles, was also a rational sect leader of a great sect.
Should he believe the legends passed down through tradition?
Or should he believe the documents left by historians?
For him, the decision was all too easy.
"An unfortunate sacrifice of a thousand more will be added, Father."
"Not unfortunate, my son."
"Pardon?"
"In the Jianghu, the death of those who covet a supernatural object beyond their capabilities is nothing more than a perfectly natural death. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Yes."
Jin Dojeon asked Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist.
"Then are we to not intervene at all in the future?"
"The time is not yet right. Of course, the Qilin itself is a fine elixir and a precious treasure, but it is also a dangerous object beyond that. Even if we were to attack it by surprise at the perfect moment and capture it, what guarantee is there that we can protect it? In the worst-case scenario, those who seek the Qilin might form an alliance and attack the Thunderbolt Martial Hall to divide the Qilin. In that process, we might suffer fatal damage."
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, a seasoned veteran of the Jianghu, knew well the duplicity in Murim history and the terror of secret plots.
That was why, instead of participating in the scramble for the Qilin, he was observing the situation.
If the various strange events currently happening in the Central Plains were merely natural phenomena akin to natural disasters, they would soon be resolved.
And if not?
Then one should not project the full power of the sect on such a 'trivial' object.
The current conflict between the Vast Heaven Infinite Sword Sect and the Dark Rakshasa Way might also be another form of the recent strange events.
It was a period of rapid change where discord with other Seven Great Demonic Sects or the Ten Great Sects could erupt into war at any moment.
Nevertheless, lately, just as his son was growing greedy, he had a slight thought.
What if they quickly secured that Qilin to further advance the martial power of the Thunderbolt Martial Hall?
Wouldn't that be advantageous in dealing with any unexpected rapid changes in the future?
"Hmph, I would be grateful if someone overwhelmingly powerful, whom no one dares to challenge, would step forward and end this situation."
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist suddenly felt a name come to mind.
A name he had actually met before, but which had suddenly disappeared from the Jianghu at some point.
A name that had recently started to be heard again.
However, the feeling was completely different from before.
Not just the feeling, but the weight and direction itself were entirely different from his memory.
"If it were him… No, no. I hear the sect he established is also participating as an ally of Vast Heaven. He would have no time to interfere in this matter."
"Who are you speaking of, Father?"
Just as Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist was about to answer Jin Dojeon's question.
Someone entered the room.
A woman of cold impression, yet a peerless beauty who would appeal to any taste.
It was his daughter, Jin Seon-a.
As she entered, a faint smile spread across Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist's stern face.
It was a pride in a different sense from his son.
How could he not be, when his only daughter was called not just the number one beauty of Mucheong, but of all Jeogyang.
"What is it?"
"Various pieces of information are pouring in through the spies scattered on the borders of Jeogyang, Father."
"What information?"
"It seems an Absolute Master has joined the scramble for the Qilin."
"An Absolute Master? Who are you talking about?"
Seon-a said with a troubled expression.
"Not one, but several."
"Several? How many?"
"It is said there are already three seen in Transcendent Wind Cliff."
"Three…?!"
"Yes."
"Who are they?"
"First, it is Heaven-Slicing Saber Emperor."
"…Heaven-Slicing Saber Emperor? Is that true? Didn't he just finish the Saber Emperor Martial Contest?"
"Yes, that is so. However, it seems that is precisely why he has come this way. The power of the Heaven-Slicing Saber Sect has not been what it used to be, and it seems he intends to reclaim its former glory by hunting the Qilin."
"And the other two?"
"They are Purple Emptiness True Person and World-Ending Demonic Lord."
"Ha… ha… Purple Emptiness True Person, and World-Ending Demonic Lord as well?"
Heaven-Slicing Saber Emperor.
His real name was unknown.
He was called so because it was said that if you gave him a single saber, he could split the heavens in two.
And that was not all.
He was the new sect leader of the Heaven-Slicing Saber Sect.
He had cut down all seven other candidates in the Saber Emperor Martial Contest in a single day to ascend to that position.
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist could easily guess what it meant for his saber to be headed straight for Transcendent Wind Cliff before the rumors of his feat had even settled in the Jianghu.
Purple Emptiness True Person.
One of the seven elders of the Great Emptiness Dao Palace.
Among those seven, he was a Taoist priest who had confined himself to the deepest part of the main palace, the Profound Emptiness Cave, never stepping outside, dedicated to closed-door training.
No one even remembered exactly when he had last shown himself in the Jianghu, but even back then, when rumors followed him that he could quell all the evil qi in an area with just his purple robe and purple sword, he was an extremely powerful master.
A peerless master, whose strength now that he has reappeared is beyond even guessing.
World-Ending Demonic Lord.
Belonging to the Annihilation Demonic Sect, one of the Seven Great Demonic Sects.
Though not the sect leader, his personal martial prowess was evaluated to be within the top ten of all the Seven Great Demonic Sects.
It had already been over a decade since he had shown himself outside his sect, and the gossips of the Jianghu even doubted if he was still alive.
However.
— If he meets a person, he cuts them down; if he meets a sect, he destroys it.
Even during his active years, such rumors always followed him, a master who was ferocious and possessed the absolute strength to roam the Jianghu while maintaining that ferocity.
"…This is absurd."
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist let out a hollow laugh.
But as if that wasn't the end, Seon-a's report continued.
"And…"
"There's more?"
"Yes, Father."
"Hmph, who is it this time?"
"Actually, their identity has not yet been determined."
"But?"
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist's thick eyebrows twitched.
Because for his daughter to report this after those three masters, despite not knowing who it was, meant it was no ordinary person.
"Their actions are very peculiar."
"Peculiar? How so?"
"It is certain they are coming this way… but, well."
"…"
"It was after we received a report that someone was moving this way at an incredible speed."
"Continue."
"Yes, a message has been continuously arriving that someone coming from the east is sweeping away all the Unorthodox Factions, Demonic Path followers, Green Forest bandits, and Waterway Fortresses in their path."
"What? What in the world… does that mean?"
"It is just as I said. It is said that someone heading towards Transcendent Wind Cliff is slaughtering all Unorthodox and Demonic Path followers in their path as they move."
"Slaughtering the Unorthodox and Demonic Path followers?"
"Yes."
"Is it certain that only Unorthodox and Demonic Path followers are being swept away?"
"Yes, information is pouring in in real-time, and there has not been a single piece of information that they have touched anyone who is not of the Unorthodox or Demonic Path."
"Ha… ha…"
Another hollow laugh escaped, for a different reason.
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Wait, they came from the east? Has it been determined how far they came from?"
"Yes, Father. It is estimated that they have been moving in such a manner from at least a thousand li away."
This place, Mucheong, was located almost in the heart of the Central Plains.
'From here, a thousand li and beyond would be…'
"Hahaha. I truly don't know what to say about this."
"Yes? What is it?"
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist did not answer Jin Dojeon's question and simply rose from his seat and went to the eastern window.
"As expected, a strange one."
"…Pardon?"
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist quietly extended his Qi Sense far to the east.
Hah, he could certainly sense something approaching.
Before, he had thought him to be someone he could somewhat read, someone with a bottom…
"A guest is coming."
But the aura now was something whose end he could not even dare to guess.
"A guest, you say?"
"That person… no, that gentleman. Is he someone you know, Father?"
A very small dot could be seen cleaving through the distant eastern sky, approaching Transcendent Wind Cliff at a formidable speed.
After confirming that much, Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist turned his head and looked at his son and daughter in turn, and commanded.
"No. I have only met him once."
"But why do you call him a guest?"
Heaven-Shaking Iron Fist, Jin Geng, gently stroked his beard and smiled meaningfully.
"If one who has come to clean our house for us is not a guest, then what is he?"