The Elixir Field is the sun of the microcosm.

Blood circulates and governs the essence, energy, and spirit.

-William Harvey-

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It was unbelievable.

Even if it could only exert about a quarter of its usual firepower, the explosion of essence unleashed by the Burst Stream possesses the power to knock out a peak martial artist in one strike, a TKO.

Even if one somehow blocks the flame of Kung-Fu energy, it is impossible for someone who cannot summon a protective aura to withstand the direct attack.

Normally, bones should shatter, blood vessels sever, and internal organs be pulverized.

Amazingly, the Little Heavenly Demon used the hidden Lifesaver to shatter the Burst Stream and close the distance.

‘I’ve been countered…?’

An intact martial garb.

But the body inside must already be battered and bruised.

Even if the Burst Stream’s fist wave wasn’t directly blocked head-on, since it caused an explosion and twisted its trajectory, it cannot be free from the rebound.

Action and reaction are the only laws that sustain the world.

To repel the peak technique of a martial artist several levels above himself, the Little Heavenly Demon Sherlock Holmes willingly paid the price.

In Nobel’s eyes, the Little Heavenly Demon overlapped with his past self.

Nobel and his brothers closed their Lower Elixir Fields, which contained their father’s teachings and curses, and threw themselves into the hell of the present world to escape karma.

Then, from the bottom where no help could be expected, they grasped new power with their own hands.

The Burst Gale Technique is a new era Kung-Fu that can become a nightmare on the battlefield.

It is an overwhelming destructive power that awakens the fear of death even in fools who relax under rules forbidding life-or-death decisions.

But even before that, the Little Heavenly Demon did not retreat.

He found a way out without yielding before an overwhelming power that could never be countered by any means.

Nobel’s eyes clearly saw.

The fierce torrent of essence bursting from the Little Heavenly Demon’s clothes.

That Qi pressure was definitely not something a peak martial artist could emit.

“No way.”

The excellent inventor and martial scholar Nobel immediately realized.

That it was also a new form of the Outburst Impact.

And also where the Little Heavenly Demon’s idea was rooted.

“Did he accumulate internal energy in his uniform and collide it with the Kung-Fu energy emitted from his body?”

Just as he increased the amount of internal energy he could circulate momentarily by using blood vessels and meridians simultaneously, the Little Heavenly Demon also used the fibers of his outfit like a second set of meridians.

This was why the Little Heavenly Demon acquired the ability to manage internal energy far beyond the level of a peak martial artist.

“Even at the moment of death, he seeks enlightenment…!”

To grasp a new Kung-Fu principle in a situation where, even if he doesn’t lose his life, his life as a martial artist might end.

Nobel could not help but shudder at Sherlock Holmes’ courage and five senses.

The Little Heavenly Demon reflected in his eyes was undoubtedly a kindred spirit.

One who sacrifices even life itself to finally grasp what he desires.

One who earns the right to ascend the steps after paying a proper price.

It was the first time.

To encounter someone walking alone on a narrow path among martial artists who have grown complacent in peaceful lives and forgotten struggle.

A candidate for a saint who might one day pass through the Eye of a Needle, become a living key, and finally open the heavens.

“If it weren’t for the Blue Eyes White Snake!”

Though he held the third specimen he had always longed for in his left hand, Nobel could not bear the resentment of that fact.

If this precious spirit beast had not appeared at Buckingham Palace.

He might have gained clues through the duel with the Little Heavenly Demon.

A map to a new path toward a realm previously unattainable.

“Must it really end like this?”

The sparks created by the collision of two souls at their limits shine brightly.

~Spina Corona~,

~Pentecoste ~,

~Ascensione~.

A signpost guiding to the three steps leading to the heavens.

The Little Heavenly Demon is already a strongman trying to surpass the peak realm.

It is rude to belittle him by debating differences in realms.

However, with a spirit beast to protect and goals to achieve, Nobel could not exert his full strength now.

His goal was not the heaven at the end of the martial artist’s path.

His dream had to be realized on low, low ground, unrelated to Nobel’s own achievements.

The Burst Gale Technique must not become a distinct Kung-Fu.

This power must someday be shared with all the powerless on earth.

Recalling his goal once more, Nobel suppressed the admiration and regret and thrust his fist forward.

“Then try to block me one more time!!”

A strike filled with respect toward the man who would someday be a worthy rival.

And then.

“Ugh…!”

Nobel’s punch ended in a misfire.

The Little Heavenly Demon knew that Nobel could not give his all to save the Blue Eyes White Snake.

And also that the moment the snake was taken, the outcome was decided.

The moment Nobel saw the Little Heavenly Demon’s blade cutting through the protective aura and flying toward the Blue Eyes White Snake, he had to let go of everything.

Victory, pride, everything.

He had the strength to fight and win, but did not get what he wanted.

Tactics knelt before strategy, leaving only a bitter lesson.

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“…Hmph.”

After staring silently at the Blue Eyes White Snake wrapped around my right hand for a while, Nobel suddenly turned away without warning.

The flow of essence that had been leaking from his body stopped.

It seemed he began internal healing using the internal energy accumulated in the Elixir Field without sitting cross-legged or initiating breathing exercises.

“Is this Dynamic Kung-Fu? Those who have rolled on the battlefield are different.”

Though less efficient than healing still, having a way to recover internal injuries while moving is a great help on unpredictable battlefields.

I heard he’s a businessman, but in that regard, he’s more thorough than most mercenaries.

It’s certain he’s a unique type I’ve never met before.

“Take it.”

Turning his back to me, Nobel said that abruptly.

“The Blue Eyes White Snake is already in my hand, do I need your permission?”

“…”

It seemed he meant to end the duel here and let me go.

“If you want, I’m willing to negotiate. If it’s about half, I can concede at a reasonable level. Evenly. Head or tail, which do you want?”

“Get lost. If you spout more nonsense, I won’t hold back.”

“You can’t even joke…”

It was the expected answer.

What Nobel wanted was a living Blue Eyes White Snake.

I could roughly guess why.

“Right. You can’t extract bile from a dead Blue Eyes White Snake.”

Before I finished speaking, I saw Nobel’s head twitch.

Seeing the suddenly shaking quiet Qi waves, it seemed he wanted to ask how I knew that.

In fact, I haven’t fully figured out Nobel’s purpose yet.

“I made a guess, and it seems I was right.”

“…?!”

“It’s nothing. I’ve heard a few things about the explosive snake venom of the Blue Eyes White Snake.”

Knowing the relationship between explosive venom and explosive Kung-Fu explains his obsession with the snake.

Since it’s not a commonly found spirit beast, information about the Blue Eyes White Snake was limited.

The knowledge came from peeking at my master’s notes on his study of the Ulster Classic and information found through field surveys.

However.

“Few study the Blue Eyes White Snake, but to think Europe’s richest man took interest.”

“It has nothing to do with you. Don’t talk recklessly when you don’t know the snake’s value.”

“I never thought I’d hear that in my life.”

I guarantee no one in London knows more about the Blue Eyes White Snake than I do.

“I have no hobby of discussing what I don’t know.”

Nobel reacted to the weight in my voice.

Turning back to me, he quietly looked into my eyes.

Was he trying to gauge if what I said was true?

“For now, I think I know what you want.”

I quietly recalled memories about the Blue Eyes White Snake.

According to old records, long ago in Ireland and across Europe, there were rare survivors of Blue Eyes White Snake bites.

It’s not well known, but the Blue Eyes White Snake is a venomous snake with deadly poison matching its splendid appearance.

Though docile and unlikely to bite humans, its venom contains powerful explosive energy that causes the body to disintegrate if bitten once.

Naturally, the Blue Eyes White Snake itself can be caught in the explosion, so it rarely injects venom when killing prey unless necessary.

Despite being a spirit beast, it’s essentially still an animal.

They all know the value of their own lives.

Only the mated males are an exception.

Male Blue Eyes White Snakes live with their chosen mate for life and are known for strong instincts to protect their family.

During the spawning season from May to July, if predators approach the eggs laid by the female, the male mercilessly exposes its fangs and attempts a suicidal attack.

For this reason, in ancient times where the Blue Eyes White Snake lived, it was regarded as a symbol of warriors, and rituals were held where its blood and venom were drunk with alcohol to prove courage and strength.

Of course, since few records remain, it seems that unique and dangerous rituals were soon stopped.

Perhaps because most who drank the venom were reduced to a handful of blood and flesh fragments.

According to one theory, the snake held by the Celtic horned god Cernunnos carved on artifacts is the Blue Eyes White Snake, but even I cannot be sure.

Anyway, the point to note is that records exist of survivors who endured the ritual.

Those who survived the ritual and endured the explosive venom of the Blue Eyes White Snake are said to have blood and energy similar in nature to the snake’s venom.

If you investigate Celtic ruins still existing in northeast Ireland, you can find traces of someone breaking huge rocks, suggesting this is likely true.

The legacy left by ancient heroes who demonstrated transcendent Kung-Fu prowess by accepting spirit beast venom.

Thanks to several field studies during my university days, I was able to deepen my understanding of the Ulster Classic.

Of course, I restrained myself because I wasn’t confident in handling that power until my minor meridians were opened.

“Having already brought up the bile, I’m curious about your intention in saying you think you know what I want again.”

Just then, Nobel’s voice interrupted my prolonged thoughts.

“Ah, that. I just guessed because a sane person would want the bile, not the explosive venom. I’m glad it was the bile.”

“Was it a bluff?”

“Separately, I also learned what you ultimately desire through this duel.”

“What…?”

This time, Nobel looked genuinely surprised.

“You chose to combine bile extracted from multiple specimens rather than ingest or detoxify explosive venom directly. It’s clear who this attempt is for.”

An attempt for someone.

Hearing that, Nobel’s expression stiffened.

He’s not very good at hiding emotions.

Instead of voicing that impression, I decided to finish what I was saying.

“It’s not the Lower Elixir Field but the Middle Elixir Field’s internal energy that’s being spread everywhere, it wouldn’t make sense if fragments of will weren’t mixed in.”

“…”

During the frontal breakthrough of the Burst Stream, I read Nobel’s will mixed in the QI waves pouring from his Middle Elixir Field.

“It seems you wanted to break something. Through an unstoppable force.”

His true intent hidden deep in the cold eyes of the man called the Merchant of Death.

“Since you control the widely spreading explosive attack with will, you seem to want thoroughly controlled destruction. Judging by the nature of the released essece, you also seem to desire to widely publicize that power in the martial world. Lastly, considering the physical shock was much stronger than the heat of the directional explosion—”

“Stop.”

Nobel’s voice demanded silence, but I did not listen.

“You want to stop it. No, are you trying to halt something?”

“I said stop.”

Connecting Nobel’s known background and the complex emotions read from his Kung-Fu’s will, a major thread began to emerge.

I followed my heart and continued my thoughts.

“Yes. This explains why Europe’s richest man, who can detoxify explosive venom, would bother researching harmless bile.”

Will that spreads essence widely is generally associated with the desire for expansion.

But the man called the Merchant of Death has never explained or denied it, meaning it has nothing to do with vanity.

Having become Europe’s richest man, his desire to expand power must have been somewhat fulfilled.

Then what remains is his wish for his Kung-Fu to be widely known, which, linked to his attempt to create bile that can make non-toxic elixirs, suggests—

I reached an unexpected conclusion.

“The principle of the Burst Gale Technique is simple, so if it becomes a widely distributed Kung-Fu manual and non-toxic elixirs are made, even those unfamiliar with Kung-Fu can learn it. Since it uses the heart1, not the Lower Elixir Field, power and speed may decrease, but strong force can be handled in a short time.”

What Alfred Nobel wanted to expand was his own power.

He surely wants to give the fire of Prometheus to those without power, the weak outside the martial world.

Now, I think I understand his ultimate goal.

It is an outrageous desire and a grand will.

“What you want to destroy, by even sharing power with all people. Is war itself.”

By sharing unstoppable power with the world, he stops the fighting.

This is the flame that burns both spear and shield.

“Arrogant, indeed.”

What Alfred Nobel desired.

Was to become the stopping power that lives and moves forever within humanity’s veins.

1. TL/N: Middle Elixir Field ️