Martial Artist Lee Gwak Episode 180

Some Scatter Ashes on the Feast Day(2)

“Unbelievable…”

“Ugh!”

The people on the platform widened their eyes at the unbelievable sight.

All of the people on the platform, without exception, were martial artists who had trained in martial arts, so they knew how incredible the scene before them was.

Despite Yook Cheon-ban’s arrogant nature, his martial skills were undeniably among the best in the Jianghu. In fact, he was considered one of the superior martial artists.

To neutralize such an attack with bare hands, without wielding any weapon, was beyond their comprehension and defied their understanding of martial arts.

“Is his palm stronger than steel?”

“What kind of hand technique has he mastered…”

The martial artists murmured among themselves before their attention shifted to Cheongunbi, recalling that this incident occurred during Cheongunbi’s birthday celebration.

Cheongunbi stared at the spot where Lee Gwak and Yook Cheon-ban were with his eyes wide open. His heart was filled with anger at those who dared to throw ashes on his birthday.

Suddenly, Cheongunbi’s eyes turned to Woo Mun Pae, remembering that Yook Cheon-ban had arrived with Woo Mun Pae. However, Woo Mun Pae, whether he noticed Cheongunbi’s stare or not, was glaring at Lee Gwak.

The reason Woo Mun Pae had manipulated Yook Cheon-ban was because of a letter received from the Martial Sword Troupe that morning.

The letter from his master, Yu Mun Sang, suggested strengthening ties with Cheongunbi and to keep a close watch on a person named Lee Gwak, if encountered.

Woo Mun Pae was curious why his master had instructed him to be vigilant about Lee Gwak, as he rarely showed interest in anything trivial.

So he used Yook Cheon-ban, thinking that Yook Cheon-ban’s martial skills would easily reveal the extent of Lee Gwak’s abilities.

Yook Cheon-ban was indeed a formidable martial artist, and Woo Mun Pae acknowledged that. However, Lee Gwak, defying Woo Mun Pae’s expectations, overpowered Yook Cheon-ban in an instant.

And he did it with the palm of his hand, without even drawing the blade at his waist.

“Bastard!

His eyes blazed with fury.

At that moment, Lee Gwak was also looking at Woo Mun Pae, and their gazes met.

Despite having swiftly subdued Yook Cheon-ban, Lee Gwak showed no change in expression, which further irritated Woo Mun Pae. It felt as if Lee Gwak was mocking him.

An oppressive aura emanated from his entire body.

Seeing this, Cheongunbi’s expression turned solemn. The force emanating from Woo Mun Pae was beyond his expectations.

‘That’s why he’s called the Mad Dragon of the Jianghu. His presence is truly overwhelming.’
Cheongunbi knew of Woo Mun Pae being called the Ten Lesser Skies but meeting him in person for the first time had its own impact.

Cheongunbi chose to observe rather than intervene directly, wanting to understand what kind of person Woo Mun Pae really was.

He held back the Cheong family martial artists who were about to approach Lee Gwak, choosing instead to watch events unfold.

“Master Yook.”

Gu Ok-rin shook Yook Cheon-ban, but he was unable to regain consciousness, only bleeding out.

Eventually, Gu Ok-rin gave up trying to awaken him and instead pressed on his acupoints to stop the bleeding.

After administering first aid, Gu Ok-rin stood up and glared fiercely at Lee Gwak.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“What do you mean?”

“How could you inflict such harm on a person?”

“He attacked first. Should I have just stood there and taken it?”

“I mean…”

Gu Ok-rin bit her lip, halting her words. Even as she spoke, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being unreasonable. Yet, she felt it was too late to back down.

Woo Mun Pae was glaring at them with narrowed eyes.

Yook Cheon-ban and Gu Ok-rin had already sworn loyalty to Woo Mun Pae, entrusting their futures to him.

Although realizing they might have acted too hastily, there was no turning back now.

Moments ago, Gu Ok-rin had thought that killing Lee Gwak was not the right thing to do, but now her thoughts had changed.

Gu Ok-rin made a choice driven more by emotion than rational judgment.

With a swoosh, she drew her sword and spoke.

“Purple Shadow Goddess Gu Ok-rin seeks to learn a lesson from this gentleman.”

“I refuse.”

“What did you say?”

Gu Ok-rin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at Lee Gwak’s unexpected response.

“Are you avoiding a duel with me?”

“Yes!”

“Do you not know shame? To avoid a rightful duel between martial artists.”

“If you so desire a rightful duel, first defeat this person.”

Lee Gwak pointed to Cheol Gwang-woo, who was standing behind him.

Cheol Gwang-woo, who had been holding his breath until now, stepped forward as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“If you wish to challenge my brother, you must get past me first.”

Cheol Gwang-woo’s face had already turned menacingly grim.

He had been holding back under Lee Gwak’s restraint, and the pent-up anger made him feel like he was rotting inside.

“A bear bastard who does not know his place…”

Gu Ok-rin glared at Cheol Gwang-woo with venomous eyes. In response, Cheol Gwang-woo’s expression became even more ferocious.

“So, all you rely on is your pretty face? Without it, what else do you have? Pride, a scrawny body without appeal?”

“You?”

Cheol Gwang-woo’s words struck Gu Ok-rin like a dagger to the heart.

Killing intent filled her eyes.

Lee Gwak was no longer her concern; her Killing intent was now directed at Cheol Gwang-woo.

“I will surely kill you.”

“Come at me. All talk, no action, skinny girl.”

Cheol Gwang-woo provocatively gestured with his fingers.

Unable to restrain herself any longer, Gu Ok-rin charged towards Cheol Gwang-woo.

Clash!

The sound of their collision echoed through the Cheong family estate.

Lee Gwak moved away from them, walking towards a different direction.

His destination was the platform where Woo Mun Pae and Cheongunbi were seated.

The crowd parted way for Lee Gwak, allowing him to walk through quietly.

The onlookers watched Lee Gwak with a sense of eager anticipation in their eyes.

To them, Lee Gwak seemed like a figure who had suddenly descended from the heavens. Until today’s incident, they had never heard the name Lee Gwak before, which piqued their interest even more.

Watching others fight was one of the greatest pleasures, especially for martial artists.
They observed Lee Gwak with excitement.

Lee Gwak made his way through the crowd and arrived at the foot of the platform.

Looking up, he saw Woo Mun Pae staring down at him with an unfathomable expression.

There was a fierce light in his eyes as he stared down at Lee Gwak. A person of weak mind and body would feel their heart sink just by meeting his gaze.

Yet, Lee Gwak climbed the stairs and stood before him without any change in his expression,
further intensifying Woo Mun Pae’s gaze.

Woo Mun Pae’s gaze eyes were as fierce and dominating as they had been six years ago, perfectly befitting his moniker, the Mad Dragon.

After a moment, Lee Gwak shifted his gaze to Cheongunbi.

“Junior Lee Gwak pays his respects to Grandmaster Cheongunbi. I apologize for causing a disturbance on such a joyous day.”

“Hmm!”

“But as a man, I couldn’t bear the insult, so I acted disrespectfully. Please forgive me.”

“You said it was an insult?”

“Yes.”

While responding, Lee Gwak glanced at Woo Mun Pae.

Woo Mun Pae had tried to corner Lee Gwak by provoking Cheol Gwang Woo. To him, it might have been a trivial amusement, but to Lee Gwak, it was a great insult.

In the past, he might have endured it.

He was used to such insults and provocations.

But enduring once would lead to enduring twice, and he would have to keep enduring.

Living a life constantly looking over one’s shoulder, akin to the fate of a dog.

If he decided to live as a wolf, he had to bite.

It was necessary to show the world that he, too, possessed sharp teeth capable of severing breaths.

Anyone who dared to provoke him should be prepared for the consequences.

That was the life of a wolf.

With such a mindset, Lee Gwak was baring the teeth of a wolf.

Cheongunbi saw the resolute determination and fighting spirit in Lee Gwak’s eyes.

After looking around for a moment, Cheongunbi finally spoke.

“If it’s a matter of dealing with insults, I see no place for my intervention. I hope the involved parties will resolve this matter themselves.”

Woo Mun Pae’s eyebrows twitched at Cheongunbi’s declaration.

He hadn’t expected Cheongunbi to withdraw at this moment.

“Cheeky!”

Bang!

Woo Mun Pae slammed his hands down on the armrests and stood up.

Whoosh!

The chair arms disintegrated into dust.

Woo Mun Pae had never imagined that Lee Gwak would be so defiant at Cheongunbi’s birthday celebration.

Lee Gwak’s unexpected response infuriated him.

Whoosh!

“Whoa!”

“Ugh!”

A massive force emanated from his body, causing nearby people to be flung away or to tumble on the ground.

“Lee Gwak! Do you dare defy me?”

“You were the one who used Yook Cheon-ban to provoke first.”

“Interesting!”

Woo Mun Pae’s lips twisted.

He had met countless people before, but Lee Gwak was the first to confront him head-on like this.

It made him angry and, at the same time, excited.

It had been a long time since he had unleashed his fury like a mad dragon, fitting his nickname.

Those overwhelmed by the nickname “Mad Dragon” dared not challenge him, only busy trying to stay out of his way.

This had led Woo Mun Pae to feel a certain frustration.

Lee Gwak was the first martial artist to directly challenge him.

Though his actual martial arts skills were unknown, the mere fact that he had boldly stepped forward was enough to make Woo Mun Pae’s blood boil fiercely.

The fact that this was happening at Cheongunbi’s birthday celebration, along with the directive from his master to strengthen ties with Cheongunbi, was all erased from his mind.

Now, only one thing dominated his thoughts.

He simply wanted to destroy Lee Gwak.

There was a man standing in front of him who, despite facing his fighting spirit head-on, did not back down.

“Hahaha!”

Woo Mun Pae let out a laugh of disdain, inadvertently.

“Ah!”

“Ugh!”

The people around them screamed and tumbled to the ground. His laughter, filled with profound internal energy, had caused them internal injuries.

Even Cheongunbi, a well-known senior martial artist in the Jianghu, frowned in discomfort. If Cheongunbi was distressed by it, it went without saying for the others.

If things continue as they were, not only the people around the platform but also everyone who had come to celebrate Cheongunbi’s birthday would suffer internal injuries.

Just as Cheongunbi was about to speak out of frustration,

“I, Lee Gwak of the Mad Martial Sect, challenge Woo Mun Pae of the Martial Sword Troupe to a duel.”

Lee Gwak made the formal challenge with a salute.

His voice was neither loud nor soft.

His calm voice, as if speaking to a friend, strangely permeated clearly through the crowd.

“Ahh!”

“Ugh!”

At the sound of his voice, people were freed from Woo Mun Pae’s menacing laughter.

Woo Mun Pae’s expression stiffened slightly.

Lee Gwak’s internal energy had been strong enough to dissipate his. However, he shouted without showing any signs of intimidation.

“The Grandmaster Cheongunbi and the martial artists present here will serve as witnesses to our duel. They will decide the winner of this duel. Do you agree?”

“I agree.”

“Good. Lee Gwak! I accept your challenge.”

Woo Mun Pae stepped towards Lee Gwak.

The place meant for celebrating Cheongunbi’s birthday had suddenly turned into a stage for a martial arts duel.

Performers and musicians hurriedly cleared the area.

Lee Gwak and Woo Mun Pae faced each other on the now-empty platform.

Everyone held their breath as they watched the two men.

One was a well-known young prodigy in the Jianghu, and the other was a virtually unknown martial artist.

People naturally assumed Woo Mun Pae would win.

They were curious about how many moves it would take for Woo Mun Pae to defeat Lee Gwak. Bets were even placed on the outcome.

“I’ll bet ten silver nyangs that the Mad Dragon will win within ten moves.”

“Ten moves? It wouldn’t take more than three seconds to defeat such a nobody. I’m betting five silver nyangs.”

Silver changed hands rapidly.

The atmosphere in the hall heated up as everyone’s attention focused on Lee Gwak and Woo Mun Pae.

Lee Gwak tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade.

The Mad Dragon, one of the Ten Lesser Skies, stood before him.

Once, Woo Mun Pae was a figure so high above him that Lee Gwak couldn’t even imagine standing in the same place, let alone challenge him. There was an immense gap between them, as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.

Now, having closed that gap bit by bit, Lee Gwak stood eye to eye with him.

This could be the brightest moment in Lee Gwak’s life, yet he was neither arrogant nor boastful.

He had faith in only one thing.

The blade in his hand.

Thump!

Martial artist Lee Gwak took the first step towards Woo Mun Pae.