The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

“First. When did she get into the Alliance?” Davey asked.

Jegal Hwan frowned. "Why should I tell that to you, when you could be an enemy?"

"If I were an enemy of the Central Martial Alliance, I wouldn’t be acting like this. I'm neutral for now, so keep testing me. It doesn't matter to me even if I side with the Ak Rim Sect."

"The Water Dragon Swordswoman joined the Alliance roughly five years ago."

Jegal Hwan seemed to marvel at how little she had aged since then, as he knew full well that she did not master any kind of anti-aging technique. He simply attributed her youthful appearance to the mysteries of the human body.

"She came from the Heavenrend Sect, excelled in the Martial Alliance's physical examination, secured first place, and joined Black Tortoise Unit. Since then, with her righteous nature and exceptional martial arts capabilities, she became the leader of the Black Tortoise Unit… That's all I can tell you. Is it sufficient for you?" Jegal Hwan continued.

Davey nodded in acknowledgment, aware that getting accurate information would be tough since the woman in question was one of the first disciples of the Heavenrend Sect. "Then let me add just one more question."

"If you're willing to pay extra," said Jegal Hwan.

"Sure" Davey handed over some precious metal he had retrieved from the Pocket Plane, eliciting a chuckle from Jegal Hwan. "Why are you laughing?"

"Haha… Nothing. It's just… You would know I, a member of the Alliance's forces, should not be asking for money for such matters."

"Let's skip that conversation and move on to the next question. In the last couple of decades, has there any overwhelmingly powerful entity emerged?" Davey asked, prompting a puzzled head tilt of Jegal Hwan.

“An overwhelmingly powerful entity…”

"It could be a martial artist as well."

Jegal Hwan thought for a moment before shaking his head. "There have been several masters known for their strong martial skills, but no one has been especially overwhelming."

"Okay, thanks for the information.”

“Is that all for your questions?"

"One more question. The most important one," Davey said as he took out a piece of jade and extended it toward Jegal Hwan.

"That is.., a treasure that was being kept by the Alliance. It was stolen by a master thief, Yu Shin-Ja, and we’ve been searching for it. We thought it ended up in the hands of fencers."

"What’s its origin?"

"Well, that's classified."

Davey tilted his head, and Jegal Hwan looked at him incredulously, as if he couldn’t believe that he needed to answer that question. "I hope you’re aware that I don’t trust you, right? As a pillar of order in the Alliance, I cannot cooperate with someone who might cause chaos."

"Hmm…"

"Are you aware? The words you said could have caused a considerable problem to the Black Tortoise Unit."

“If Yun Hee-Ryeong recklessly confronted the Ak Rim Sect, and if the Ak Rim Sect were to brazenly protest, the Martial Alliance would… abandon Yun Hee-Ryeong and the Black Tortoise Unit."

"You knew this, but you still said it."

In response, Davey stood up with a derisive smile. "Don't make excuses for your incompetence."

"You…"

"Are you not going to answer?"

"Do you think you're strong?"

Jegal Hwan’s question was out of the blue.

"I'm not so weak that I'd get beaten everywhere I go."

"How long have you been in murim?"

"This is my first time."

"If it's true that you subdued Savage Asura. Then, let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"Yes. You told me just now. You're willing to pay an additional fee."

"Go ahead."

"The Martial Alliance, as the representative, is hosting a large-scale martial arts tournament between the Righteous Path and the Evil Path."

"I'm not interested."

"What if the prize is something you want?" Jegal Hwan smiled slyly.

"Prize?"

"Yes. It seems you have an interest in that gem... Well, let me tell you. The piece of jade that our Martial Alliance has comes from the imperial family of the Country of Hwan. And the imperial family of the Country of Hwan will bestow the whole gem to the winner of the tournament."

Davey was clearly amazed by this jewel, which had the power to purify and enhance the qi of whoever possessed it. Which martial artist would not seek such a treasure?

"Hmm…"

"Don't worry about the quantity. The gem offered as a reward by the Country of Hwan is not just a fragment but the whole piece. Moreover, the imperial family said that the owner of the intact gem would gain eternal youth."

Jegal Hwan was doing his best to spark Davey’s interest.

"Honestly, I don't care about that kind of reward. However, this is your first time in murim, yet you are strong enough to defeat Savage Asura. Someone like you is definitely qualified to participate. As for me, all I care about is one thing. I want you to join the Righteous Path and destroy the Evil Path."

Davey silently looked at Jegal Hwan.

"You said it, right? If you want to gain something, you have to pay a price."

"That's right."

"I will give you the piece of jade that the Alliance has. And if you win, you will get the whole gem. Actually, the Alliance has been quite troubled by that item. Since the original owner was a witch… you see."

The Martial Alliance, which revered the righteous, had no interest in an artifact that had to do with witchcraft. Among the high officials of the Alliance, there might be some interested, but Jegal Hwan, at least, wanted nothing to do with it. He was more worried about the internal conflict that would arise if a member of the Alliance obtained the item.

What Jegal Hwan was truly concerned about was crushing the Evil Path and raising the status of the Righteous Path, knowing it would have significant political impact.

"It’s not just that, right?" Davey inquired, sensing there was more.

"You really don't seem like a newcomer to the martial world. Could it be that you are a reclusive master?"

"I'm indeed a newcomer."

‘Though… with my experience, I’m already past the level of the Mind Sword,’ Davey thought.

Hearing Davey's response, Jegal Hwan quietly nodded.

"I'm not sure why I'm giving you all this information, but you need to be cautious. Among the individuals that are raised as the Evil Path’s future leaders, there are many for whom the word ‘genius’ is just not enough.The Evil Path has produced numerous masters who have reached not only the Peak realm but also the Absolute realm despite their young age."

"Really? That sounds interesting. Does the Central Martial Alliance not have such talented individuals?"

"There are quite talented future leaders coming out of the academy in the Village of the Beginning, but..." Jegal Hwan grumbled with annoyance. "When compared to the Evil Path, they are vastly overshadowed in talent.”

‘To be honest, it would be amusing to watch the Righteous Path struggle,’ Davey thought.

"Alright. We have a deal. Don't forget the promise."

"Understood."

‘Davey. When a rock like you is thrown into a calm lake, the ripples that ensue…’ Perserque shared her concern.

‘No, I think it’s for the best. I will show them the ways of the Heavenly Destroyer before we leave this cursed world that villainizes him,’ Davey responded.

‘My master was a terrible teacher and a hopeless drunkard, but apart from his disciple, nobody has the right to criticize him. And that’s me,’ Davey thought.

Davey returned the piece of jade he had obtained from the fencer to the Pocket Plane. It had once been a possession of the Martial Alliance, but it had now become his down payment. Kain would know how to fuse it properly.

"So, let's see what these newbies can do. But is that really okay? You’re putting me in without seeing my strength?"

"I heard you beat the leader of the Black Tortoise Unit. That's proof enough. She might be young, but her talent is real," Jegal Hwan said, confident in Davey's strength.

"You'll first identify as a member of the Jegal family..."

"No. I will register as part of Heavenrend Sect."

"Huh?"

"Even if you say I’m a subordinate of the Alliance, it won’t make people less envious. Better to draw all the attention outright."

"At least until the tournament, you better not reveal your skills."

"Reveal my skills?" Davey smirked mockingly. "No worries, I’ll beat them up just a little, so make sure you clean up the aftermath."

Davey stood up from his seat.

* * *

[You were foolish. Just steal it. What does it matter to you whether it’s the Country of Hwan or the Country of Yu?]

"No. Shut your mouth."

Kain’s tone betrayed his anxiety.

[There's not much time. I can't stop you if you want to enjoy your game...]

"The tournament is hosted by both nations. There'll be plenty of watchers."

Kain momentarily fell silent at Davey's words.

"Isn’t that where they should get the message?"

It was time to demonstrate the true nature of the Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art. People called it a demonic art or evil witchcraft, but that was simply not true. It could be either righteous or demonic, depending on the user. That was the essence of the Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art, and Davey intended to reveal that to the world during the tournament.

[But if the Absolute Gem were to end up in the hands of the Abyss...]

"I'll handle it myself. But what about Isildi? What happened to her exactly?"

Davey's most pressing question to Kain was just that—how had the Princess of the Abyss ended up in such a state?

[Without direct verification, it's hard to confirm, but it seems like a side effect.]

A side effect.

With Sleesia dead and the Princesses of the Abyss locked up in different worlds, it seemed the worlds were starting to exert some sort of pressure and cause side effects.

[It is not bad news. This is the opportunity to dispose of her.]

"It would, indeed, be an optimal time to kill her."

But that would come after securing the Absolute Gem.

"It doesn't seem like her memories will return immediately."

Davey cut off the communication and turned his attention to the group of young men who were approaching him.

"Do you want something from me?" Davey asked, knowing full well what they wanted. From the moment these boys had appeared, they were oozing hostility toward him.

"We heard that someone from Heavenrend Sect suddenly joined us and will participate in the martial arts tournament."

Without answering, Davey rose to his feet and approached the young man who had spoken, swiftly kicking him in the shin before the others could react.

[Devil Ylgr’s Crowd Suppression]

[Shin Kick (Weak)]

Crack!

The young man's face turned pale blue and he collapsed.

Davey stated dryly, "No need to be so disrespectful. You don’t even know me."

Davey had made a deal with Jegal Hwan to participate in the tournament. If Davey won, he would get the complete Absolute Gem, and his victory would bolster the prestige of the Central Martial Alliance. A fair deal for both, but to the junior Righteous Path trainees, Davey was just a freeloader who got in thanks to nepotism.

"Huh?! How dare a Western barbarian attack someone from the great Mount Hua Sect underhandedly? Draw your sword! I challenge you to a fair duel!!"

Davey’s only reaction to the challenge was a tired look on his face, and he moved toward the youngster. Scared by Davey’s aggressive kick earlier, the latter took a step back and drew his sword, pointing it at Davey’s throat.

"I challenge you to an honorable duel!!"

Whether it was the Evil Path doing wicked deeds openly or the Righteous Path pretending to be clean while indulging in filth, it was all the same wherever human beings gathered. Recalling Jegal Hwan's explicit warning about showing off his strength, Davey picked up a tree branch nearby.

Then, with a lethargic expression, he said quietly, "Davey O’Rowane, representing the Heavenrend Sect. My chosen martial art will be…uh…kicking ass."

"What? What do you mean—Ugh!!!"

The young man was confused by Davey’s declaration, but just as he was yelling, Davey threw the branch at him.

[4th Circle]

[Thunder Calling]

Zap!

A spell disguised as a natural disaster, Davey used the tree branch as a lightning rod, directing the lightning bolt he summoned straight onto the boy. It was not as powerful as real lightning, but it did look like one, to the viewer’s astonishment. The young man struck by lightning collapsed on the ground, scorched black.

"Oh dear, the heavens are unsympathetic indeed. To strike down someone with lightning in the middle of an honorable duel…"

The other young men, stunned, quickly picked up their fallen comrade and hastily pulled back.

Davey sneered and turned away, noticing that Mi-Young and Joon-Seong were approaching him together with Perserque.

"Davey, don't tell me you plan to cause problems like this until the tournament?"

"It's a sound strategy, don't you think? Maybe next time I’ll cause spontaneous combustion."