ladyjlb's manga / #Action(442)

Ch 198 as of 30/05/22 - rate 3.5 ** End of Season 1, Ch 76 ** End of Season 2, part 1. Ch 110 ** End of Season 2, part 2. Ch 149 ** End of Season 3, part 1. Ch 198 ** The romance is annoying but can’t do much about it as she’s a key character. Ugh so annoying. - ML was sealed away by an old Shaolin Buddhist monk. - ML was a powerful martial artist, master of the dark arts. He was called Hwang Jun-Woo, the Dark God of War and the 7 Nights Martial God. - ML is reborn as Hwang Jun-Woo, son of the benevolent Lord of Sojoo city, Hwang Suk-Hoo and heir to the Mankeum Jang (Golden Pavilion) clan. His mother is Hwang Seo-Si. He has a younger sister Hwang Seo Yeon who is 3yrs younger than him. His warm and loving family is in stark contrast to his past life as an orphan. - NB: the Mankeum Jang clan is the central district’s wealthiest merchant clan. - ML retains all of his memories from his past life. - At 3yo ML starts practising martial arts with a wooden sword. - When 6yo ML says he’s learnt to read, his father declares ML to be a literary genius. The next year ML is assigned a tutor Baek Kyo to help with his literary studies. - After a kidnapping incident at the market when ML was 7yo and Seo Yeon was 4yo, ML teaches martial arts to his sister and his guardian Kyung-Ho. ML had fought and defeated most of the kidnappers. Seo Yeon stopped him from killing one of them. He spared one man who had helped his sister. All of the kidnappers were later handed over to law enforcement. - For ML’s 11th bday and social debut, his father holds a great celebration with many invited guests. ML meets 13yo Princess Joo Yeon Ha who pretends to be lost and asks him to escort her. - Young Wang? (Joo Yoon Ho), the Emperor?, close friend of ML’s father and father of Princess Joo Yeon Ha. - ML 17yo meets Man Chong 63yo the reknowned blacksmith after Seo Yeon saves the old man from thieves. - They had crossed paths 20yrs ago in his past life, when ML refused Man Chong’s offer to make a customised weapon for ML. - Known as the greatest blacksmith in the nation, the “Dragon General” Man Chong has always wanted to make the greatest weapon in history for a martial arts master. - This time ML accepts Man Chong’s offer to create personalised weapons for ML and his sister. - The Namkung clan (1 of the top 5 family clans in the nation) try to kidnap Man Chong but are constantly thwarted by ML. - ML buys info on everything about the Namkung clan from the Intel Squad, a group masquerading as homeless people. - The Namkung clan give up and return home after their Heaven Squad leader lost a bet in a fight against ML. - The compensation from the Namkung clan is 100k gold, which pays for the info ML commissioned from the Intel Squad. - Man Chong presents the completed swords to ML and his sister. When Seo Yeon held her sword for the 1st time, she manifested sword qi. ML teaches her sword techniques. - Seo Yeon’s sword name: Mey-Young - ML’s sword name: Su-Wang, King of Beasts / Beast King - With this sword, ML surpassed the level he was at in his past life. - Man Chong accepts a position offered by ML’s father at Mankeum Steel. ML welcomes Man Chong as part of the family. - ML 18yo has completed his studies and is given the 1st task by his father in support of the family. ML with Kyung-Ho escort Princess Joo Yeon Ha and her entourage to Beijing (a 3mth round trip). - The entourage rest at a village. ML goes for a walk and is soon joined by Princess Joo. They’re ambushed by Eum Nam Oh Rang, an elite mercenary group. ML kills them all. - While camping, the guards are put to sleep by a spell. ML wakes everyone up just in time as a large group of undead assassins attack. They were sent by the Baek-Heuk Twins who ML defeats on his own. ML interrogates the Twins and finds out they were ordered by the Emperor’s Instructor, the head scholar of the government office. - ML somehow heals the Twins and enslaves them with his powers. They secretly follow the entourage and take out anyone else who might attack. - The entourage reach Beijing safely. That night ML meets Princess Joo at a secluded inn. She’s surprised when he mentions the Emperor’s Instructor. ML offers to help her but she declines, preferring to handle matters on her own. - Seo Wang (Sa Ma Jong), the King of Rats / Night Rat. - ML hears from the Twins that Seo Wang is in Beijing. ML goes to a butcher shop and finds the secret underground space that Seo Wang is hiding in. - Seo Wang betrayed ML in his past life. For atonement, ML says Seo Wang must live the rest of his life for ML’s sake. ML assigns the Twins to assist Seo Wang in protecting and fighting. - ML and Kyung-Ho return home to Sojoo. - Cho Ho-So, eldest son of a provincial military governor. - Seo Yeon received a marriage proposal letter from Cho Ho-So. While ML was with Seo Yeon at the markets, a drunk Cho Ho-So mistook ML for Sri’s love interest and tried to punch ML. - ML wants to establish his own intelligence group but it requires considerable funds. To pay back his family, ML creates 3 books (Dark Fist, Divine Wind, and Dragon arts) on the martial art techniques of his past life as the Dark God of War. ML gives these books to his father to sell. - ML with Kyung-Ho and ML’s tutor Baek Kyo travel to Nanjing for ML to take the examination of country magistrates. Baek Kyo makes ML focus on studying under various challenging conditions. - ML obtains 1st place for the exam, just as he did with the state exam before. Baek Kyo advises ML to think about how he’ll live his life on the righteous path from now on. To realise and act out the true meanings of the sages is to truly be a “scholar.” - Before leaving Nanjing, Kyung-Ho stops a group of men beating up another man. Since Kyung-Ho has involved himself, ML says Kyung-Ho has to take responsibility and see it through to the end. - The Baek twin delivers info to ML on Ma-Cheol the man that was beaten. Ma-Cheol’s current misfortune is retribution for the many crimes he committed. ML and Kyung-Ho turn their back on Ma-Cheol and leave Nanjing. - On the way home, their rest is interrupted by a fight between a mercenary and a group of Namkung men. - ML only intervenes when a Namkung man insults and threatens the Mankeum Jang. The Namkung men retreat. - The mercenary is called Hong-San who fought the injustice of paying bribes in the guise of taxes to the Namkung clan. ML tries to recruit him but Hong-San wants to work for ML’s father instead. - Hong-San was dismissive of ML, then faints from being exposed to ML’s intense aura. When he wakes, he acknowledges ML. - Hong-San challenges ML to a drinking game at an inn. If Hong-San loses, he’ll work under ML. They both collapse and Kyung-Ho takes them to recover in rooms at the inn. - The Namkung men have asked for help from an uncle and martial arts master Namkung Mun-Woo to attack ML. - The Namkung men disguised as assassins enter ML’s room through the window. Kyung-Ho tries to protect ML but is injured by Mun-Woo. ML awakes and beats up all of the Namkung men. - As punishment, ML hitches the Namkung men to a carriage and makes them pull it to the Namkung clan estate. - Namkung Jeon-Hyeok, head of the Namkung clan. - Further outraged by ML’s demand for compensation of 1.5 million gold, Jeon-Hyeok tries to kill ML but he and his men are completely outclassed by ML. - Namkung Cheon, Sword Emperor, Namkung clan’s greatest martial arts master. Retired head? The true leader. - Cheon arrives to fight ML but he is no match for ML who kills him. ML leaves Seo Wang in charge of keeping an eye over the Namkung clan. ML is using their fear of him to keep them in line. - NB: It's a secret that ML is the true leader of the Namkung clan. - ML returns home with Kyung-Ho and Hong-San. - For 15 days ML trains them to be stronger. He says top martial artists like them can become one with their weapon and channel qi into it, ie sword qi. He helps them to achieve “sword silk” which converts qi into thin lines. Beyond that is the king of qi, “sword star” that can cut anything and nothing can block it. - ML asks Man Chong to make customised weapons for Kyung-Ho and Hong-San. ML agrees to take Seo Yeon on a trip. - ML picks up the weapons before they leave. - On the way they’re attacked by bandits. They easily defeat the bandits and hand them over to the authorities at the next village. - At another village, a Jeonhwa rep is beating up and threatening his men for failing to retrieve lost goods. Jeonhwa is 1 of the 10 great trading companies. ML and Seo Yeon step in to beat up the rep for treating people this way. ML offers to help find the goods. - The villagers reported seeing a strange beast. ML goes to investigate on his own, leaving Seo Yeon to travel with Kyung-Ho and Hong-San. ML finds the beast known as Youngso and the cart with the missing goods. The beast leaves after saying it’ll meet ML again. ML returns the goods but is notified by a rat messenger that there’s trouble at the Namkung clan. - Heaven’s Respected 10, ML’s enemies from his past life (?) - Known as the 10 strongest in the murim / martial world. - Wonwongwejyon (with Sanboongdojang) is 1 of the 10. - W/S demand to see the Namkung clan leader. ML meets them with Seo Wang and the Baek-Heuk Twins. They attack ML who easily defeats them. ML confirms W saw the martial book sold by ML. - ML reveals his true identity as the martial god then kills W. He leaves S to Seo Wang as W/S almost killed Seo Wang in the past. - Jeowang the imperial scribe who came with W/S is spared by ML and pledges his loyalty to ML. Jeowang returns to the palace to support Princess Joo Yeon Ha. ML leaves the Namkung clan to find Seo Yeon and the others. - Seo Yeon and the others fight a large group of bandits that invade a village. It’s Seo Yeon’s 1st real battle and she doesn’t kill anyone. Kyung-Ho lets himself get badly injured to give Seo Yeon a chance to attack the bandit leader. The bandits retreat and ML arrives to see the villagers insisting on giving a reward to Seo Yeon and the others. ML finds the remaining bandits and their leader. - ML compliments Seo Yeon and reminds her about the responsibilities of being a martial artist and wielding a blade. - Seo Yeon, Kyung-Ho and Hong-San can use sword silk qi. - With ML’s encouragement, Kyung-Ho achieves sword star qi for the 1st time. Kyung-Ho has a talent for qi. - At a town near a river, ML helps to catch a serial rapist and murderer then hands him over to the imperial secret police. - Princess Joo is there in cognito and meets up with ML. - ML insists on helping her and she agrees to let him escort her to Muhan. They board a ship that belongs to the Namkung clan. - Red Dragon pirates are after ML and Seo Yeon. - ML maked Kyung-Ho use this as an opportunity to demonstrate his qi skills. Kyung-Ho cuts a pirate in half with one swing of his sword. ML transfers his qi to Kyung-Ho who uses sword star qi to help defeat the rest of the pirates. - Princess Joo was selected by the Emperor as a successor candidate for the throne. Because of this, the Crown Prince is trying to kill her. Princess Joo wants to obtain the throne. - She’s been secretly corresponding with the Captain of the Hwalhyubdan. She’s going to Muhan to meet the Captain to see if he can be trusted to help her in the fight for the throne. ML agrees to meet the Captain with her. - Goohwi, Black Winds leader from the Cheonma (Heavenly Demon) sect of demonic martial artists. - He’s a sword star qi expert. - After the Red Dragon pirates were defeated, Goohwi borrowed one of their ships to capture ML and Seo Yeon himself. - ML detected Goohwi first and confronted him on the borrowed ship. ML destroyed the ship and spared Goohwi so he could deliver a warning back to the Cheonma sect. - Jin Mooyoung, Captain of the Hwalhyubdan (Scorching Blood Troupe). An alliance of orthodox, unorthodox and demonic sects that rules over murim from behind the scenes. - He’s also the head disciple of the Wudang sect, one of the largest factions in the murim world. - He’s been using the Bird King / Day Bird who can communicate with birds to spy on ML. - In Muhan, Princess Joo and ML meet Captain Jin who is willing to commit considerable resources to support the Princess’ cause. - Despite not knowing exactly what Captain Jin’s ulterior motives are just yet, Princess Joo is willing to accept his help. - While ML is away, the Cheonma sect attack Seo Yeon and the others where they’re staying. Hong-San is severely wounded when he protects Seo Yeon from a bomb. ML returns and captures the remaining Cheonma sect members. - ML finds Jin Mooyoung with a Cheonma sect member. - Jin admits to being involved with the demonic sect but doesn’t elaborate. ML attacks Jin but is stopped by a priestess (?) who helps Jin escape. - The Priestess predicted the reincarnation of the martial god. - The Priestess sees the martial gods as her saviour after he destroyed the slave market she was about to be sold at as a child. - Goongwang, the Archer King. Jin Mooyoung’s subordinate. - As a 7yo child Jin Mooyoung was sold to slave traders by his poor parents. The traders were killed and the children set free by the Mountain Herb bandits who thought the carriage had food supplies. Jin was taken in by the bandits. The leader had a soft and kind heart. He often shared the group’s food supplies with the local villagers. - Jin Yeoyang, leader of the mountain bandits. He’s the one who named Jin Mooyoung. - Paengwol, vice leader of the mountain bandits. He was originally from the Myungmoon martial sect. - During a time of famine, the village chief begged then threatened the bandit leader who refused to give away what little food the bandits had left. The bandits were falsely accused of committing atrocities by the village chief. The 10 martial artist clans attacked and killed the mountain bandits. Jin Mooyoung was the only survivor after the leader pretended the boy was a hostage. - Seo Wang leaves the Baek-Heuk Twins to manage the Namkung clan after he hears ML is meeting Jin Mooyoung. - On the way Seo Wang is captured by the Bird King. - ML receives a rat message about Seo Wang. He goes and saves Seo Wang. He spares the life of the Bird King who is caring for a young boy, his disciple Jinyong. - Woochul the Sword King, a new 1 of the 10 - ML crushed Woochul’s will after breaking his sword. - ML agrees to accept Woochul as his underling. - ML tells Seo Wang, the Bird King and Woochul to disrupt Jin Mooyoung’s plans. - ML returns to Seo Yeon and the others. More Cheonma sect members are on their way. ML uses this as another training exercise. Seo Yeon, Hong-San and Kyung-Ho defeat their attackers and advance their skills. - In ML’s past life, Jin Mooyoung briefly met ML and thought ML was the reincarnation of Jin Yeoyang (tbc). That’s why Jin Mooyoung is obsessed with ML who is the reincarnation of the martial god (tbc). - Jin Mooyoung destroys the Shaolin Temple and makes it look like the Cheonma sect were responsible. - Jaegal Ryang, the head of the Jaegal clan. - Also known as the Bohk Ryong (hidden dragon). - ML visits the Jaegal clan in the mountains. The Jaegal clan prefers to distance themselves from the murim world. ML and his group have to pass a test to enter the Jaegal clan as guests. ML is the only one to pass the test. - ML says the world is undergoing unprecedented change. He asks what sort of change is it. Ryang replies that a fated future will arrive soon when the world’s 8 darkest disasters will come. 8 Demon Kings will descend, ie monsters that have taken human form. - Then the Bird of Apocalypse will appear … ( missing chapter between Ch 140 - 141 ??? ) - ML’s request to learn the Jaegal clan martial arts is rejected. Instead he’s given the task of defeating a giant arachnid king that has been sealed away for a long time. - ML kills the monster and gives the core to Ryang. - Ryang gives ML the 8 Trigrams Magic Arts manual: the text disappears once it’s read. ML studies the manual until he can create a small ball of light magic. - ML and his group return home when they receive news that Hwang Suk-Hoo has disappeared. Hwang Seo-Si says Suk-Hoo went to Xian and she has faith he’ll return safe. The 1st Emperor’s tomb (ie Terracotta Warriors) has been discovered. ML goes to Xian to look for his father. - Joo Gochi, 1st imperial prince and Crown Prince. - The Emperor sent Princess Joo Yeon Ha and Joo Gochi to investigate the tomb as a test. ML enters the tomb and comes across Princess Joo fighting the terracotta warriors. ML blasts through the warriors to create an escape route for the Princess and her men. - Yong Joongho the Heavenly Demon from the Cheonma sect, 1 of the Heaven’s Respected 10. - Shina, a Kunlun Taoist priestess who has been a long time ally with the Mankeum Jang clan. - Shinil, a disciple of the Kunlun Taoist sect. - ML then comes across Shina and Shinil. ML helps them fight against Yong Joongho and the Cheonma magician. - It was the Cheonma magician who used a special item to move the terracotta warriors like puppets. The magician escapes with the 8 Demon Talisman. - Later Jin Mooyoung arrives and he kills Yong Joongho. - Kunlun used to be 1 of the 9 great schools. - It’s been 100yrs since Kunlun went into hiding. - The treasures of the tomb hold immense power and shouldn’t be revealed. An example of a treasured artifact is the imperial jade seal of the 1st Emperor that has the power to overturn the world. - Hwang Suk-Hoo used the Eonryeong technique to seal the tomb. It’s a technique that shortens the user’s lifespan. - Oh Tae-Ak, Lord of the Fire Palace - Naeng Chulyoung, Lord of the Ice Palace - Hwang Suk-Hoo goes to rest in the city. - ML leaves Xian with Shina and Shinil to look for the Cheonma magician. They’re attacked by Oh Tae-Ak and Naeng Chulyoung. ML defeats them and lets them escape. - ML teaches martial arts with an attribute of nature. - Kyung-Ho: earth qigong (defence and offense) - Hong-San: wind qigong (chasing steps, movement) - Shina lends an artifact to ML, the Ice Lord’s Crown. - After mastering the 8 Trigrams techniques, you can speak the “word of the spirit”. The artifact will boost the power of the words. - Words and language are the technique’s origin. - Shina calls off the pursuit of the magician as they can find no trace of him. ML meets up with his father and they return home. - ML enjoys a pure fighting spar with the Chief of the Mankeum Jang clan guards. - Seo Wang, the Bird King and Woochul are spying on the Cheonma sect HQ in the mountains. They’re attacked by a powerful martial artist, the Phantom Demon Vassal. Woochul manages to kill the demonic expert. They continue to be chased by the Demon Vassals, Blood Fist and Black Shadow. ML received a rat message and arrives in time to save them. - ML goes with Woochul, Seo Wang and the Bird King to the Cheonma sect HQ after everyone has recovered. ML uses this as a training exercise. To help the training go faster, ML uses knowledge engraving magic with the Ice Lord’s Crown. - There are 6 gates guarded by the 18 Great Demons. - ML obliterates the martial artists at the 1st gate as it’s too easy for training. He brings over Seo Yeon, Kyung-Ho and Hong-San in a day to join in the training. - 2nd gate: Ji Jinseong, Mighty Demon Lord vs Kyung-Ho and Seo Wang (shadow manipulation arts). Ji Jinseong was the disciple of the Blood Fist Demon Vassal. After the fight, ML removes the poison that brainwashed Jinseong to absolutely obey his master. - 3rd gate (undead assassins, fog, poison): Zhuge Geon vs Hong-San and Seo Yeon, with Woochul as backup. - 4th gate: Bird King (human body interpretation art) - Cheon Jeongwi, Great Guardian of the Cheonma sect. - He’s been with the sect for over 100yrs. He’s bored with his life as he’s never found a worthy opponent. He’d always wanted to fight the martial god. Yong Joongho the Heavenly Demon was the Great Guardian’s disciple. - The Cheonma magician returned earlier to HQ. He uses the body of the previous Heavenly Demon as the vessel for a Demon King. - The magician is given the Demon King’s power to defeat the Great Guardian. In the end the demonic energy and life force is absorbed by Dong Tak the Demon King from both the Guardian and the magician. - Lu Bu / Fengxian, contract summon to the Demon King. His soul is freed after he’s defeated by ML. - The Demon King exerts his domination authority over accumulated evil karma in people to extract demonic energy. - While ML was fighting Lu Bu, the Demon King targeted Seo Yeon and the others. Ji Jinseong joined in the fight against the Demon King. Just as the mountain was covered by the Demon King’s black magic, ML appears and defeats the Demon King. - ML uses the sacred fire at the Cheonma sect HQ to cure Jin Yong of his terminal illness that blocked all of his meridians. - ML invites Ji Jinseong to be one of ML’s people. - ML returns home with Seo Yeon, Kyung-Ho and Hong-San.

Ch 155 as of 31/01/23 ** this would be great if updated as a webtoon - Claymore: a nickname given to women who are half human and half monster. They are contracted to kill monsters. - Men were the first test subjects to become Claymores, but they succumbed too easily to their monster power and awakened as powerful monsters themselves. - A secretive organisation creates Claymores to protect humans from monsters. Claymores are treated as expendable tools. - Claymores are ranked according to their strength and region. - Claymores are forbidden to kill humans. - Yoma: demonic monsters that have the ability to disguise themselves as humans. Only Claymores with their silver eyes can distinguish between a real human and a yoma. - Claire, a Claymore (no.47) who volunteered to become one from the remains of the former no.1 Claymore called Teresa. When Claire was a young girl, she was mentally and physically traumatised after being used as a toy by a group of yoma. Teresa killed the yoma and Claire insisted on following Teresa. - Teresa killed a group of bandits who were pillaging a village. Other Claymores were sent to kill Teresa but she defeated all of them. A Claymore called Priscilla lost control of her yoma powers. Priscilla became an awakened being (ie “voracious eater) and she killed Teresa. - Raki is a young boy who decided to follow Claire after she killed the yoma that murdered his family. Later he gets separated from Claire. He grows up to be a skilled swordsman. (TBC) - If a Claymore manages to suppress her awakening and not be overwhelmed by her yoma power, she remains in a half-awakened state. Her yoma power increases (ie regenerative abilities) while retaining her human form and consciousness. - Miria the Phantom (no.6) - Deneve (no.15) - Helen (no.22) - Current top 5 Claymores: - 1 Alicia the Black - 2 Beth, Alicia’s twin - 3 Galatea - 4 Ophelia the Blood Soaked Warrior - 5 Rafaela - There were 3 awakened test subjects that were ranked no.1 who reached the pinnacle of awakened beings. They're called the 3 Powers or Abyssal Ones. - West: Riful - South: Luciela (Rafaela’s sister) - North: Isley the Silver King - East: the Claymore organisation? - The organisation creates Claymores as part of a broader experiment on how to control awakened beings. This is for a war against dragons and their kin in a faraway land. - Abyss Feeders: 11 demonic zombies created from dead awakened beings. Given a human form, they crave the flesh of Abyssal Ones. - Yoma are actually created by infecting humans with the flesh of dragonkin that acts as a mind controlling parasite.