Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Park Bucheng stared at the message from Li Zhenghao on his phone, his brow furrowed, feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing down on his heart.
Beside him, Kim Soo-yeon noticed his distress and asked softly, “What’s wrong? You look terrible.”
“Li Zhenghao wants me to return to the base immediately.” Park Bucheng irritably put away his phone, his gaze flickering restlessly as he paced back and forth in the cramped space like a caged beast. “Calling me back at this time can’t mean anything good; it might even be a trap.”
Kim Soo-yeon’s expression turned serious, her brows knitting together. “Be careful. I have a bad feeling about tonight. The involvement of the Taiji Consortium and American forces has made the situation even more complicated, like a boiling pot of porridge that could spill over and scald someone at any moment.”
Park Bucheng nodded, about to respond when he suddenly sensed a faint presence behind him, cold and sinister like a snake ready to strike. He spun around sharply but found only an empty darkness, illuminated only by the dim streetlights casting long shadows.
“What’s wrong?” Kim Soo-yeon asked warily, her voice trembling slightly.
“Someone is following us,” Park Bucheng whispered decisively. “You go ahead; I’ll draw them away. Remember, no matter what happens, don’t look back.”
Kim Soo-yeon opened her mouth to protest, but Park Bucheng had already slipped into the night like a wisp of smoke, vanishing in an instant.
He moved quickly along the warehouse district by the docks, his steps light as a cat darting through the shadows of the containers. The presence behind him grew closer, carrying a hint of murderous intent that clung to him like a shadow.
Damn it, who could it be? Park Bucheng cursed inwardly, clenching his fists.
Suddenly, he found his path blocked. A burly henchman stood in front of him with several thugs flanking him—Wang Hu, known as “Iron Fist,” one of Li Zhenghao’s enforcers. The man’s face was all muscle and menace; he was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
“Park Bucheng, you’ve got some nerve!” Wang Hu sneered, sarcasm dripping from his words. “Daring to investigate behind the boss’s back? Are you tired of living? You really think you’ve grown wings and can soar?”
Park Bucheng feigned panic, his eyes darting nervously as he stammered, “Wang Ge, let me explain… It’s not what you think…”
"Explain it, damn it!" Wang Hu roared, like an enraged bull, swinging his fist directly at Park Bucheng's face. "Today, you'll learn the consequences of meddling! I'm going to beat you so badly that even your mother won't recognize you!"
Just as his fist was about to make contact, a white figure suddenly flashed by, appearing like a ghost in front of Park Bucheng. Wang Hu felt a jolt in his wrist, and a sharp pain surged through his body. He was pushed back by a gentle yet irresistible force and landed on the ground with a thud.
Park Bucheng focused his gaze and saw that the newcomer was an elderly man dressed in a plain Daoist robe, with white hair and a youthful face. He held a bamboo staff and exuded an otherworldly aura, as if he had stepped out of an ink wash painting.
"Youth, violence is not a good way to solve problems," the old man said lightly, brushing off his sleeves. His tone was calm with a hint of teasing, as if he hadn’t just intervened in the confrontation.
Wang Hu's face darkened, feeling as if he had swallowed a fly. "Old man, who are you? How dare you interfere in our affairs? Are you tired of living?"
The old man smiled gently, revealing a kind demeanor. "I am Li Xuanwei, just an idle hermit from the mountains."
Park Bucheng felt a jolt in his heart; that name seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Before he could ponder further, Wang Hu charged forward with his men like hungry wolves, fists swinging wildly at Li Xuanwei and Park Bucheng.
Li Xuanwei sighed softly. He tapped his bamboo staff on the ground and floated up like a falling leaf, astonishingly light. His movements appeared slow yet always managed to perfectly evade all attacks while countering with clever angles that struck precisely at his opponents' vital points, eliciting muffled groans from them.
In less than a minute, Wang Hu and his men lay sprawled on the ground, moaning in pain like discarded burlap sacks. Park Bucheng watched in awe; this effortless display of skill that subdued several attackers seemed straight out of a martial arts novel, leaving him utterly impressed.
"My young friend, would you care to have a word with me?" Li Xuanwei turned around, gazing deeply at Park Bucheng with eyes full of insightful wisdom.
Park Bucheng felt wary but was also drawn in by the display of martial prowess. His curiosity clawed at him like a cat's paw. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded. "Please lead the way, senior."
The two arrived at a secluded warehouse. Li Xuanwei waved his hand gently; a breeze swept through, and the warehouse door opened silently as if pushed by an invisible hand.
"You are quite special," Li Xuanwei stated directly, his tone affirming. "To cultivate inner strength in this era and master techniques like Graceful Wave Steps—who exactly are you?"
Park Bucheng felt a sudden shock, as if he had been stripped bare and exposed before the other man. He never expected that his greatest secret would be so easily seen through by this suddenly appearing elder.
"No need to hide," Li Xuanwei interrupted him, his tone calm. "I can sense the aura within you that does not belong to this era. You have traveled here, haven't you?"
Park Bucheng's body trembled, cold sweat instantly soaking his clothes. He was taken aback; how could this elder see through his biggest secret?
"Don't be nervous," Li Xuanwei smiled. "I am also an outsider, just someone who arrived decades earlier than you."
Park Bucheng was left speechless, as if struck by lightning, standing frozen in place.
Li Xuanwei continued, "I can see that you have a righteous heart and wish to change the darkness of this world. If that is the case, why not let me teach you a true martial art?"
As he spoke, Li Xuanwei turned his palm over, and a powerful internal force surged forth, causing the air in the warehouse to tremble and hum. "This is the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, one of the most formidable martial arts in existence."
Park Bucheng's heart raced; this was exactly the ultimate skill he had longed for. Yet he suppressed his excitement and cautiously asked, "Why do you want to teach me, senior?"
Li Xuanwei's gaze deepened. "Because I see hope in you. This world needs change, and you may just be the one who can bring it."
Just then, hurried footsteps and shouts echoed from afar, breaking the tranquility of the warehouse. Park Bucheng's expression changed. "It's Li Zhenghao's people!"
Li Xuanwei remained unfazed. "In that case, let's begin your first lesson. Remember, the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms emphasizes..."
Comment 0 Comment Count