The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

"Do you know the way to the east?"

"It’s the first time I am going out into the world," Han Ja-Seong responded with a hint of uncertainty.

"I suppose I should recalibrate my expectations," Davey said indifferently, his gaze fixed on Cheon Ji-Hee, who tightly clutched Perserque's hand.

One person smoldered with the flames of vengeance, while the other seemed to have lost all sense of reason. It was a bitterly sardonic tableau.

“My apologies for the wait,” said a graceful woman in a pristine white martial outfit as she bowed slightly to Davey.

She was Kwak Mi-Young, the eldest granddaughter of Kwak Do-Young. Behind her was the second disciple of the Gongdong Sect, Kwak Joon-Seong, who looked sullen.

"Damn. Why did Grandpa have to involve me in this excursion?" Joon-Seong grumbled under his breath.

"Shut up. What you did wasn’t wrong, but you really should know when to speak and when to stay quiet," Mi-Young snapped at Joon-Seong before turning to the others to present the horse she had prepared.

“I will be your guide as we head to the east. Let’s go,” she continued.

"I didn't expect you to go so far as to accompany me on the task I was requested to complete," Davey replied to Mi-Young.

“I have to report to the alliance too, and traveling together won't be an inconvenience," she replied.

Davey nodded in feigned interest.

The procession maintained a solemn atmosphere. Mi-Young, who was not one for idle chatter, led the way as the pathfinder. Joon-Seong grumbled, but with one stern gaze from Mi-Young, he quickly joined the heavy silence shared by Ja-Seong and Ji-Hee.. Ji-Hee, having closed off her emotional side due to the shock of losing her family, had a lifeless look in her eyes, while Ja-Seong was consumed by a silent desire for revenge.

It was only Davey and Perserque who enjoyed the journey, engaging in casual banter and leisurely appreciating the sights around them. It was a serene entourage—a feeling that could bring a spontaneous smile. But the leisurely trip didn’t feel as such to Ja-Seong.

"Should be enough for today, right? But if you don’t like it, tell me. I'll catch some high-quality beasts for you," Davey offered.

"This kind of trip calls for a vintage flavor, Davey." Perserque chuckled at the rabbit Davey had caught, clearly enjoying their journey. "But I'm worried about that child."

"Which one?"

"That Ji-Hee. She's shutting off her emotional side more and more. If we're not careful, she could lose her mind completely."

"She's quite weak in willpower," Davey remarked.

Cheon Ji-Hee had learned almost no martial arts, despite being the daughter of a sect leader. She seemed no different from an ordinary person.

"Davey, can you cure her?" Perserque inquired.

"I could.”

"You can?"

"Yes. By erasing her memories of that particular time."

The answer silenced Perserque. It was a decidedly weighty choice. While drastic measures could be considered in urgent situations, it was not a decision that could be made lightly.

"I'm just worried about leaving her be."

Ji-Hee was a young girl, still in her mid-teens. Unlike the rapid maturation seen on the continent of Tionis, mid-teens here were still considered a very young age.

"Damn. That guy's doomed, sister," Joon-Seong remarked.

Davey and Perserque returned to where the others were setting up camp and overheard Joon-Seong’s remark.

"Joon-Seong," Mi-Young responded.

"I’m not trying to boast about being way more talented than him, but that guy is a lost cause. By Grandpa's words, Heavenrend Sect is said to be a grand sect. So I simply can't comprehend why they would take in such an idiot," Joon-Seong complained. It seemed he had been trying to teach Ja-Seong in recent days to no avail.

"He appeared to have a solid physical foundation."

"What good is a strong physical foundation if he can't effectively control his qi? His accumulation of qi is less than half of an average person's. It's a serious problem."

Mi-Young let out a sigh.

"To be brutally honest, at this rate, he's destined to die a brutal death, whether he seeks vengeance or not. Even though he’s been training for three whole years, even a third-rate rogue can manage their qi "

"What seems to be the trouble?" Davey and Perserque asked as they approached Mi-Young and Joon-Seong, who were sighing deeply.

"Ah, Sir Davey and Lady Perserque." Mi-Young, who had initially addressed Davey as 'young hero,' seemed to have grown accustomed to the more formal address over the days.

"What's the matter?" Davey asked.

Joon-Seong shot him a brief glare.

"Why so curt?"

"I would show respect if there was anything worthy of it."

Joon-Seong sighed.

"Tsk… It's about Ja-Seong. His physique is good, but his qi accumulates too slowly, and he struggles to process even the little he gathers. He's clumsy at handling his qi."

Davey casted a glance at Ja-Seong, who was practicing at a distance not too far from them. He was robust in build and he was also passionate, and yet he was still seemingly clueless when it came to managing his qi.

"Honestly, he's not suited for the martial arts world."

Joon-Seong believed that the most critical talent was the ability to draw in and accumulate qi, which was the foundation of martial arts. Without building up a reserve of qi, even the best physique and talent would prove useless.

"Hmmm…"

"I give up. Trying to teach him is a waste of time."

Davey didn’t say anything, merely handing over the rabbits he was carrying to Perserque.

“Are you going to look after him?” Joon-Seong asked.

"For a bit," Davey replied plainly as he walked toward Ja-Seong.

"Hey! Did you not hear me?! He's hopeless!"

"That's because you're unable to teach him."

Davey's cold retort earned a look of utter anger from Joon-Seong. But Davey paid him no mind and approached Ja-Seong, who was still engrossed in training.

"Has it always been like this?" Davey asked.

Ja-Seong, who had been brandishing his sword, hesitated.

"Sir, you’ve returned?"

"Caught a few rabbits," Davey replied casually.

Ja-Seong looked up with gleaming eyes, set down his sword, and moved to stand beside Davey as he tried to catch his breath. "What do you mean by 'has it always been like this'?"

"Has your qi always been this challenging to accumulate?"

"Yes, it has... but…"

"Sit down for a moment," Davey requested. Once they’d both settled down, he placed a hand on Ja-Seong’s wrist to feel his pulse. "Try to gather some qi, even if it's just a little."

Ja-Seong hesitated for a moment, but he eventually heeded the request and tried to muster up his qi. He could feel the flow of qi inside his body, but it was faint, almost imperceptible.

"I see the problem now."

It all began to make sense to Davey. He continued to observe Ja-Seong for a moment longer before getting back on his feet.

"Sir?"

"Sometimes, just giving up is a pragmatic choice. Seems like the Ak Rim Sect is universally disliked anyway."

A fiery determination ignited in Ja-Seong's eyes at Davey’s unsolicited advice. "I'm not going to let it pass like that!"

"Are you in that much of a hurry to die?"

"I must seek revenge... myself," he declared firmly. "One of our sect brothers betrayed our master before we were attacked. Because of his betrayal, our master was critically injured and couldn't withstand the assault from the Ak Rim Sect. I can't forgive him or the Ak Rim Sect."

A fleeting bout of silence fell before Davey asked, "Even if you lack talent?"

"I must do it, even if it kills me."

His resolute declaration made his deep-seated resentment undeniably clear.

"Really?" Davey asked calmly, gazing deeply into Ja-Seong's fiery eyes. He then muttered, "Reminds me of someone from the old days."

A bitter feeling crept up, and Davey picked up a nearby wooden sword.

"Sir?"

"I'll give you a chance. Show me what you've got."

Another wave of hesitation hit Ja-Seong, and it etched itself on his face upon hearing the invitation that Davey offered him."You're going to help me?"

"Yes. Don't you like that?"

"No, it's not that, but..." Ja-Seong, like most others, had never witnessed Davey engage in a proper fight. His uncertainty was evident, but he still accepted, saying,Well, then—I'll take you up on your offer."

Ja-Seong composed himself as he took his stance,then yelled fiercely, "Heavenrend Mountain-Crushing Sword!"

Davey could see the young man’s diligent effort in those disciplined movements. Lightly adjusting his grip on the wooden sword, he stepped forward.

Thud!!!

As Ja-Seong closed the distance, Davey struck his forehead square with the wooden sword without using an ounce of mana.

"Ugh!"

"You’re fighting with your life on the line and you’re announcing your technique before attacking? Where’d you pick up that habit? You think this is some kind of honorable duel?"

"Ugh…"

"Come at me again."

Staggering, Ja-Seong stood up.

Mi-Young and Joon-Seong were drawn by the commotion, so they subtly sneaked a peek at Davey and Ja-Seong.

"Here I go!"

Ja-Seong charged forward once more, propelling himself from the ground with full force.

"That's not it, you fool!"

Thud!

A blunt force that was devoid of any refined qi struck Ja-Seong again, sending him airborne with his blood splattering. Davey tossed the wooden sword aside and stretched out his arms, silently reflecting.

‘The issue isn't his talent or determination. It's the misalignment of spirit and body. Efforts are in vain if the body is not suited to accumulating qi’

As Ja-Seong tumbled on the ground and attempted to stand up again, Davey swiftly closed the distance and decisively restrained him. "Your primary issue isn't your martial arts talent or will. It's your body.”

Someone had deliberately obstructed Ja-Seong’s meridians; even attempting to accumulate qi was futile with a body manipulated like this.

"Whoever did this to you had some purpose for it. Anyway, since I’ve taken you under my wing, I'd rather not see you die on the street. I'll at least make you look presentable," Davey spat out from between clenched teeth, then powerfully twisted Ja-Seong’s fingers.

Though he was a distance away, Joon-Seong noticed that something was off. He called out to Davey, "Hey… Hey! What are you doing?!"

Crack! Crack!

However, Davey continued to twist, crack, and generally brutalize every bit of Ja-Seong’s body.

"It's going to hurt a lot."

"Aaahh!"

Crack! Crack!

The bone-chilling sound of Ja-Seong’s screams echoed in the surroundings. They were so loud that they resonated endlessly. Joon-Seong could only watch with a look of complete panic.

Even Mi-Young appeared shocked as she asked, "Lady Perserque, what is Sir Davey doing..."

"It appears he's giving him some sort of beneficial massage," Perserque answered with a slight giggle, while the Kwak siblings could only conceal their unease as they stood by and watched.

***

The air was chilly, and in the distant, dark forest, a man grimaced as he listened to the agonizing screams echoing from afar. "Those are some tenacious individuals."

They had thought that everyone in the sect perished, but somehow, two people had survived..

Ji Woo, once Ja-Seong’s senior brother and now the traitor of the Heavenrend Sect, harbored undisguised enmity for these two people.

"How much longer do we have to wait, elder?" Ji Woo asked quietly, his gaze fixed in the direction Ja-Seong's screams came from.

The old man he was talking to slowly approached him.

"Hehe, filled with rage, aren't you? Do you hate them that much?"

"As much as the master who deceived me. Those two monopolized Master's love, and they’re absolutely unforgivable."

"Why didn’t you kill them and run away then? Why did you just flee?" asked the elder.

Ji Woo’s face soured. "I did not have the luxury at that time."

It had taken all his strength just to survive a clash against his master. However, now his master was dead, and Ji Woo had come to possess strength incomparable to the past.

"Right. The other elders might plan to make use of that young man, but I agree with you. Leaving problems like that unchecked is asking for trouble."

"There are others to deal with. I'll cut off Ja-Seong's lifeline myself."

"Hmm. The Peach Blossom Fairy and that greenhorn from the Gongdong Faction..."

"Will it be okay?"

"It's fine. But that girl from the Western lands... She's quite the catch. I want her. She makes me feel all giddy."

"Then let's go."

"Yes, let's go. Let’s go have some lively fun."

Ji Woo and the old man walked away, and behind them, the ground shook. As if on cue, a giant hand burst out from the ground.

"Let’s go, Heavenly Jiangshi."