Jin Cheonhee’s form glided forward, his sleeves billowing as he moved. His keen senses mapped the terrain and analyzed the enemy’s formation. His azure eyes, sharp as a blade, pinpointed the most advantageous position and guided him there.

Drawing a deep breath, he filled his lungs to their depths, melding the Five Elements True Qi within. Simultaneously, the principles of the Seven Demonic Zither unraveled in his mind, reassembled through the Five-Elemental Divine Technique.

“Everyone, stop fighting!” 

*Stop fighting! Stop fighting! Stop fighting!*

*Boom—*

His voice reverberated like a cavern’s echo, shaking the battlefield. 

Sound Technique. A martial art that infused energy into sound, capable of stirring emotions and wielding physical destructive force. The shockwave it unleashed rocked an area spanning a hundred yards.

“Argh!”

“Urk!”

“S-Save…!”

Clutching their ears, warriors collapsed under the roar, rivaling a lion’s shout. In a single move, the battle halted.

Amid the chaos, Jin Cheonhee landed at the secret cave’s entrance.

*Tap.*

The realization that the White-Robed Divine Dragon had unleashed such a devastating sound technique left everyone stunned, their wary eyes fixed on him.

Damn it, what a reaction. I didn’t expect this much impact. Hitting the cochlea directly with sound waves is pretty effective, huh? Might use it again in a pinch.

Sound was a potent weapon. Human ears doubled perceived volume with just a 3-decibel increase. That’s why governments mandated hearing protection for workers in environments exceeding 90 decibels. It was also why the U.S. developed sound-based weapons. The eardrum was a fragile organ, and unless a martial artist trained in sound techniques, they rarely strengthened their ears.

The Seven Demonic Zither, originally a divine art using the zither, had been deconstructed and woven into the Five-Elemental Divine Technique. With the Profound Origin Heaven and Earth Divine Technique and Dual Mind-Intention Technique, Jin Cheonhee’s thought speed surpassed others. Enhanced by the jade of the Condor Dragon, his martial comprehension rivaled a grandmaster[1]. Combined with modern knowledge, his shout was a sonic assault, rattling cochleas and disorienting foes.

Even with vast internal energy, those untrained in sound techniques couldn’t resist. Both Demonic Cult Minor Cult Leaders staggered momentarily.

“Cease fighting. The Blood Immortal Sect has resurfaced. Continuing this battle only plays into their hands.”

Thousands of martial artists glared, gripping their swords, but Jin Cheonhee showed no sign of faltering.

If I show even a hint of weakness, I’m the one getting attacked.

Sensing the surrounding hostility through the Dual Mind-Intention Technique, he plotted his next move. In his mind, he traced a chessboard. One wrong step among these enraged warriors, and he’d be torn apart.

Having spilled each other’s blood, calming them with logic was no easy feat. Yet, perhaps provoked by his unruffled demeanor, another Demonic Cult Minor Cult Leader, absent from the earlier duel, stepped forward.

Stopping ten yards away, he spoke. “So, you’re the infamous White-Robed Mad Dragon. True to your name, spouting crazy talk. Think we’ll just back off in this situation?”

“And you are…?”

“I am Black Cloud (or Heuk-un), the third Minor Cult Leader of the Sun Moon Divine Cult. You’ve heard of me, haven’t you?”

Black Cloud, the eldest surviving Minor Cult Leader. Not a name bandied about by street storytellers, but known among martial artists who bought information with silver. Naturally, Jin Cheonhee was aware.

As expected… His aura marked him as a Minor Cult Leader. Black Cloud showing up here? Didn’t he fight Yeo Ha-ryoon to the death?

***

Black Cloud, a different breed of villain from Green Mist.

Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, he also wielded the Blood-Fate Pagoda Vajra Divine Art[2]. His body was indestructible, enduring even energy strikes. His raw strength was immense, capable of crushing boulders and bending steel barehanded without internal energy.

Raised by the Six Demonic Families, he consumed elixirs like meals, amassing formidable internal energy—likely surpassing Jin Cheonhee’s current total.

But his flaw is clear.

He was slow. Despite reaching the Transformation Realm, the novel described his movements as sluggish. Raised as a noble scion, he compensated by dominating and recruiting allies, leveraging his strengths.

When the Heavenly Demon bestowed the divine art, she said: ‘Flower born and raised in nobility. Revered from seed, I wonder if your fruit will be as noble. Show me if a demon crafted by lesser beings can reach the heavens. If not, you’ll be torn into a thousand pieces.’

As foretold, Black Cloud was shredded by those he trusted. It wasn’t for lack of leadership or loyalty—his opponent was simply worse. Il-kana, Yeo Ha-ryoon’s future subordinate and Jin Cheonhee’s current otherworldly assassin, orchestrated it.

– Raised on elixirs and great arts, his demonic skills are impressive? Where do you find such elixirs?

– If you used the Great Absorption Technique on Minor Cult Leaders, could even non-inheritors drain their energy?

– Just asking drunk, no big deal.

With a devil’s tongue, Il-kana divided the Six Demonic Families, shattering Black Cloud and Green Mist’s alliance. Though she died, her blade meticulously ensured Black Cloud’s gruesome end.

Green Mist was pure evil, but he lacked the ruthlessness to kill his own. Had it been Green Mist, she’d have beheaded anyone suspicious.

A black flower nurtured in fertile soil with love, Black Cloud couldn’t betray his people in the end. But having slain countless civilians and carved blood paths, he was undeniably evil, fated to face the protagonist’s judgment.

That was the future. For now, Jin Cheonhee acknowledged the Minor Cult Leader. “I’ve heard much about you, Minor Cult Leader Black Cloud.”

A light fist salute, then straight to the point. “I propose a compromise. We breach the secret cave, transcribe the manual, and share it. How’s that?”

Black Cloud replied coolly, “Why should we? We can crush the Martial Righteous Alliance hypocrites and take the cave.”

An expected response. Jin Cheonhee nodded. “Fine, then here’s the deal. Fight on if you reject my offer. But if you do…”

“Then what?”

“I’ll run around blasting that sound technique. I guarantee you’ll never fight a proper battle again.”

In the martial world, swords were feared most. But Jin Cheonhee, an otherworldly surgeon, saw things differently.

*Let’s see how you like the sound of nails on a chalkboard. I’ve never tried it, so I’m curious how far I can push it.*

If his earlier sound technique was level one, the chalkboard screech would be level two. He’d flee while unleashing it relentlessly.

“Crazy…”

“…Mad Dragon…”

“Is he sane?”

A righteous faction martial artist shouted in horror. “And you call yourself a martial artist?! You’d defile our life-and-death duels?!”

“I’d rather die than live in shame!”

Even suicidal patients reaching the ER were fought for fiercely. Physicians believed life was better than death, even in filth. Surgery was a series of brutal choices: lose hearing to remove a tumor, live with a tube to gain years. In desperate moments, Jin Cheonhee had seen patients’ choices and shared their outcomes.

He’d treated someone who overdosed, desperate to see their children one last time. Despite irreversible damage, they clung to life for a week, torn between despair and love.

Could life be so filthy? Could honor sully it?

“Defile…?” A bitter smile crossed his face.

If their martial life deserved respect, so did his medical life. Both were values they’d dedicated their lives to.

But they could never coexist. No words would bridge that gap.

“I’m a physician, you know? I’m doing this to avoid more patients. Don’t like it? Tough shit! I’ll keep blasting sound techniques while dodging—you think the Demonic Cult’s elites can fight properly then?”

Call it a tantrum—he didn’t care. Just fight somewhere I’m not.

“Cover your ears!”

“You think a Transformation Realm sound technique is that easy to block?”

“Crazy… this lunatic bastard!”

“You’re not wielding swords for civilians. Just to grab a secret manual, you kill each other and yap like that?!”

Let them call him a madman forever. Jin Cheonhee was fine with it.

Infusing energy, he shouted again, making warriors clutch their ears and stagger.

“You’ve gone too far, White-Robed Mad Dragon,” Black Cloud said, frowning, stepping forward.

Then, a voice rang out. “I agree with the White-Robed Divine Dragon.”

Ak Jin, the Spear King and Martial Righteous Alliance Leader.

Black Cloud retorted, “Alliance Leader! You think I’ll go along just because you agree?”

The Alliance had already broken their pact. Ak Jin’s face was grim. “Then how about this? We settle it the martial world’s way.”