Chapter 1: The Strongest Under Heaven is Fat

I knew instantly.

The feel of the bed I was lying on was different.

Someone had moved me somewhere else while I was asleep.

That was my initial thought, but the problem was far more serious.

My plump flesh was gone.

My internal energy had vanished without a trace.

My body… had been completely swapped.

The face staring back from the mirror was filled with melancholy.

At least it was decent-looking, but how could a body be so frail, like a blade of grass?

Even walking was a struggle.

It seemed I had been the victim of soul transmigration.

As I woke up, I faintly heard a sound…

– …

Was it a person’s voice, a melody, or just noise?

I couldn’t tell if it was an auditory hallucination.

I had received a young body like a gift in my dull, joyless old age, but why did it have to be one that felt like it was on the verge of death? As a gift, both the wrapping and the contents were a complete mess.

Was that day the problem?

The day the Sword Saint requested a duel.

The words the Sword Saint had rambled on about in his madness…

Or maybe…

Chapter 1. The Strongest Under Heaven is Fat

Hugong was in a good mood.

The dining table was laden with delicious dishes.

In his tedious daily life, the only pleasure was, of course, mealtime.

Creak, squeak.

As he sat down, the chair screamed as if it were dying.

“Quiet, quiet.”

Hugong soothed the chair as if calming a baby.

It wasn’t the chair’s fault. It wasn’t old, either.

It was because he was so fat that his waist seemed like that of three ordinary men combined, and he was so large that if he wasn’t careful, it was hard to tell where his belly ended and his buttocks began. Even though he was sitting at a four-person table, it looked like a table for one.

“Now, what should I eat first?”

The chair quieted down. He picked up his chopsticks.

But a problem soon arose.

A cold woman’s voice came from outside the door, forcing Hugong to freeze with his chopsticks in mid-air.

“Alliance Leader, it is Jegal Hye.”

“What is it?”

“I have an urgent matter to report.”

“I’m busy. Come back in two hours.”

A disciplined reply came from beyond the door.

“Yes, I understand.”

But reality was different from her words.

Jegal Hye, who opened the door and entered without permission, was a cold-looking beauty with fair skin and long, dark hair.

Hugong chuckled at the sight of the beauty.

He hadn’t expected her to just leave.

It wasn’t the first or second time.

“Come here. Let’s eat together.”

“I’ll get fat.”

Unlike when she spoke from outside the door, Jegal Hye’s expression and voice had changed. She feigned coyness with a friendly tone, and the cold expression on her face was gone, replaced by a bright smile.

Pouring a cup of tea for herself, Jegal Hye sat down opposite him.

“My dear girl, a person has to be a little plump to be charming.”

“Well, you are certainly charming, Uncle.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Hahaha!”

She was the strategist of the Alliance, a woman of brilliant intellect.

She was extremely taciturn and meticulous in her work, and because of her expressionless face that always radiated a cold chill, people called her the “Ice Flower.” But to Hugong, who had known her since she was a baby, she was no different from a cute, whiny granddaughter. A bothersome one, at that.

“If you laugh like that…”

“I look foolish?”

“You’ve gotten smarter.”

“I came to deliver some amazing news, but maybe I should just go.”

“You’ve never actually left after saying that.”

“Hehe…”

“I really don’t know why people call you the Ice Flower.”

Even as Hugong clicked his tongue, Jegal Hye was all smiles, as if something was incredibly amusing.

“There are two things. Good news and bad news.”

“Good news first.”

“The Green Forest King sent word that he succeeded in raising cattle. He says the meat quality from Mount Uwang is top-notch.”

“Is that so?”

Hugong guffawed.

He had told the Green Forest King to stop his useless banditry and just raise cattle, and the fellow had finally borne fruit.

As he laughed, his chin fat jiggled, and his cheeks pushed up, making his eyes look as if they were closed. Jegal Hye was staring at him with a smile.

“Haha! That Green Forest King, he’s finally found his calling.”

“It’s too early to celebrate.”

“Ah, right, there was bad news. Ahem.”

“A message arrived from the Hyeonam Branch. Based on the Sword Saint’s route and travel time, it seems he will arrive at the Alliance headquarters around noon tomorrow.”

“Already? Hmm, the Sword Saint is in quite a hurry.”

Hugong tilted his head.

About half a month ago.

A letter had arrived at the Alliance.

Unexpectedly, it was a challenge for a duel from the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint was once known as the greatest swordsman under the heavens.

His martial prowess was truly astonishing, reaching the heavens and shaking the very earth.

Ten years ago, that same Sword Saint had suddenly vanished without a trace, so everyone thought he had cut ties with the martial world for good, but now he had suddenly issued a challenge.

However, Hugong had no intention of accepting such a duel.

He would just leave quietly.

The Sword Saint was a suitable candidate for the next Alliance Leader.

He was a man of gentle, righteous, and humble character.

His martial cultivation would have improved over the past ten years, so he would be able to handle any unexpected situations well.

The fact that he was rushing more than expected was a bit concerning, but what could possibly go wrong?

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to run away.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Jegal Hye burst out laughing.

In contrast, Hugong’s expression turned sullen.

“I’m being serious. Rather than face the Sword Saint’s blade, it’s a hundred times better to ditch this Alliance Leader position and everything else and flee. With the Sword Saint’s noble character, he’ll make an excellent Alliance Leader, and he’ll be called the Strongest Under Heaven and the Greatest Sword Under Heaven. I’ve been doing this for nearly thirty years, that’s more than enough.”

“Can’t you just have the duel? I really want to see you use your martial arts at least once.”

“So you can hold my funeral?”

“Then who on earth was it that sent all those gems like the Demonic Blood Star of the Demonic Cult, the Ghost Emperor of the Ghost Valley, and the Spirit King of the Western Territories to the afterlife?”

“Tsk tsk, that was just good luck.”

“So you’re saying you sent them all to the afterlife by luck?”

Jegal Hye’s face showed she wasn’t amused in the slightest.

Hugong shrugged.

“That’s what I’m telling you. Besides, look at my body now. These days, even walking is difficult. I get out of breath so easily. Anyway, I’m running away with my tail between my legs tonight, so you handle the cleanup.”

Jegal Hye pouted, looking disappointed.

“Why is it that since I was little, all I ever see you do is eat?”

Her father had passed away five years ago. The Alliance Leader had always been by her father’s side. Her father was the Alliance Leader’s sworn brother, and also a friend. It was around that time that the Alliance Leader’s appetite had drastically increased.

Jegal Hye put on a sulky expression again for no reason.

“Where will you go when you leave the Alliance?”

“Well… I’ll either go to the Green Forest King’s ranch on Mount Uwang, or maybe to the North Sea. The Mystic Yin Divine Maiden of the North Sea said their ice fish are so delicious and begged me to visit.”

“Wherever you go, I’ll join you there in half a year.”

“Ah… how troublesome. Why are you doing this to me, really.”

“Oh, I don’t know. The handover might not even take half a year, so just be aware.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t know. No, Jegal Hye knew better than anyone. Her uncle was a being who always brightened his surroundings with his cheerful and relaxed demeanor. It was safe to say there was nothing in the world she looked forward to more than traveling the world with such an uncle. At least, for her.

It was then.

Hugong’s face hardened.

Jegal Hye made a cute, tearful face.

“Hmph… do you dislike the idea that much?”

“…”

“Uh… Uncle?”

Jegal Hye called out cautiously.

In an instant, the air had changed.

This was not her uncle’s usual atmosphere.

Wasn’t this the uncle who took even serious words as jokes and delivered reprimands wrapped in humor?

She had never seen him like this, not once since she was a child.

“Quiet.”

Jegal Hye’s eyes widened in surprise.

She could tell something was terribly wrong. She waited with a dark complexion.

At that moment, Hugong was listening to a sound from far away.

It was a voice coming from the entrance of the Alliance, from outside the mountain gate.

Though the distance was great, to him, it was no different from a whisper in his ear.

– Sir Muyeon, what is the matter?

– It’s an emergency. The Hyeonam Branch has been attacked. By the Sword Saint. He even extended his evil hand to the common folk. Everyone died by the Sword Saint’s blade!

– W-what are you talking about?

– This is no time for talk. The nearby Shaolin and Wudang have stepped in, but there’s no telling what will happen to them. We must inform the Alliance Leader immediately!

‘He’s gone mad?’

Hugong’s eyes narrowed.

The Sword Saint was a respected master of the Orthodox Faction, admired by all.

His sword was a sword of life, a righteous sword, yet he had become a murderer, creating a storm of blood. If so, there was only one explanation.

‘Demonic Corruption!’

He had to pinpoint his location first.

If he was on a mad rampage, there was no telling where he might have gone.

Hugong condensed his internal energy between his brows and, in an instant, spread his spiritual sense along with his consciousness.

Pang!

A ripple spread through space, expanding to a radius of over five hundred yards. A tremendous amount of information poured in—the breaths, conversations, and the presence or absence of internal energy of the thousands of people within that range.

He’s not here.

Hugong amplified his energy.

His eyes began to shine with a brilliant light.

A powerful consciousness, incomparable to before, spread out.

Paaang!

Though it was a formless consciousness, the explosion of energy sent Jegal Hye stumbling back three or four steps from the shock.

She clutched her chest, her breath catching as she felt something pierce through her body. The dining table had already been pushed back, and the dishes on it had fallen to the floor.

– Kuhahahaha! The One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation of Shaolin. Good. I will shatter your formation and dye Shaolin in blood!

Hugong faintly caught the Sword Saint’s voice. He was still near the Hyeonam Branch in Hebei.

“Uncle!”

Jegal Hye shouted, pushed all the way to the wall. Her eyes were filled with fear.

She had never once seen her uncle’s martial arts.

She had only ever heard stories that he was called the Strongest Under Heaven and that everyone feared him. He didn’t even walk fast normally, so she had even wondered if he could perform lightness techniques at all.

But now, her uncle’s presence was truly heaven-shaking and earth-shattering.

His eyes shone with a piercing light, and his vital energy flowed out endlessly.

His white hair fluttered in his surging aura, and his clothes flapped wildly in the boiling energy.

“The Sword Saint has undergone Demonic Transformation.”

“What?”

“There’s not much time! You…”

Hugong’s body shot upwards.

All Jegal Hye saw was a flash of something.

The ceiling burst open and collapsed, and through the hole, Hugong’s figure, now a streak of light, vanished into the distance.

‘N-no way…’

Jegal Hye almost collapsed.

The surprises continued.

Almost simultaneously, a hole was bored through the opposite wall, and three streaks of violet light shot out.

They were three swords.

The swords, transformed into violet light, followed the path the Alliance Leader had taken, leaving trails of light as they disappeared.

Stunned, Jegal Hye swallowed dryly.

‘Uncle…’

Faced with the true nature of the man called the Strongest Under Heaven, the Greatest Sword Under Heaven, Jegal Hye couldn’t think at all.

“Everyone, remain calm. It is the Alliance Leader!”

“The Alliance Leader has made his move! We await the Alliance Leader’s command!”

The outside grew noisy at the sight of the streaks of light disappearing with a roar, and the Alliance’s high command was calming the commotion.

Only then did Jegal Hye come to her senses.

Her uncle’s telepathic message was also reaching her ears. Only after hearing the entire message did she run outside.

***

Violet radiance streaked across the sky, leaving an afterglow of light.

By the time those on the ground saw the violet light, it was already far in the distance, leaving only belated gasps of awe and questions.

In this way, Hugong, who had raced like light and in an instant stood in the sky above the Hyeonam Branch, had eyes blazing with fury.

Corpses were strewn everywhere amidst the wreckage of the buildings.

Blood was spattered across the collapsed walls and the ground.

A few people, dragging their injured bodies, were checking for survivors in the debris.

Not long after leaving that place, Hugong encountered an even more gruesome scene.

An entire village was a sea of blood.

Over a hundred men, women, and children were torn apart, their forms unrecognizable. He spread his consciousness to scan the area, but there were no survivors.

Why on earth?