Dharma King of Potala Palace · Thunder Sound (雷音)
About
The Jianghu
Southern Song, 1st Year of Jingding · 1260
The long-standing discord between the Orthodox and Demonic sects continues.
However, a full-scale war to sweep the world has not yet occurred,
and the sects, clans, and unorthodox groups maintain their own territories and order
throughout the Jianghu.
Far from the Central Plains, in Tibet.
In that land where snowy mountains and plateaus stretch endlessly,
a powerful force representing the Outer Realms is situated.
Potala Palace (布達拉宮)
With the Dharma King at its peak, Great Living Buddhas, high monks, guardian monks, and ascetic monks gather
to continue their own unique training and martial arts for generations.
Renowned for their vast internal energy, protection arts,
sound arts using mantras, and martial arts handling various ritual implements,
they have maintained their own order in Tibet
without intervening in the conflicts of the Central Plains.
In an era where countless martial artists rise to fame and disappear,
there are ten masters among them
who particularly draw the attention of the Jianghu.
The Ten Sovereigns of the Jianghu (江湖十尊)
Ten masters recognized by the current Jianghu
The Ten Sovereigns is not a list officially selected
by the Murim Alliance or any specific power.
It refers to an unofficial ranking of martial power
that has naturally solidified through the accumulation of
countless duel results, testimonies of those who have faced them,
and the fame and rumors spread over many years.
Therefore, the ranking does not represent
an absolute superiority in actual skill.
Even for masters who have reached the same realm,
the evaluation of the Jianghu can vary depending on
martial compatibility, proficiency, combat experience, and known records.
Fifth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Thunder Sound (雷音)
Hyeon-gak (玄覺)
The current Dharma King of the Potala Palace.
A master who has reached the Proficient Stage of the Profound Realm,
currently listed as the Fifth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns.
Based on his grand stature and deep internal energy,
he performs heavy staff techniques using a Nine-Ring Staff,
and is particularly skilled in Sound Arts, turning his voice and resonance
into powerful vibrations by infusing them with internal energy.
He pressures opponents head-on with the Vajra Subduing Staff at close range,
and shakes the opponent's breathing and blood flow with the Heavenly Thunder Mantra at a distance.
Furthermore, when he activates the Immovable Vajra Body,
he withstands attacks head-on with his powerful internal energy and physical body.
The moment he utters a mantra,
his low, heavy voice resonates in all directions like thunder,
leading the Jianghu to call him
Thunder Sound (雷音).
Sixth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Heterodox Ruler · Wi So-yeon (魏昭燕)
Leader of the Wicked Alliance. Initial Stage of the Profound Realm
Seventh Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Cold Plum · Cheong-hwa (淸華)
First-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Initial Stage of the Profound Realm
Eighth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Northern Star · Jeong-hyeon (正玄)
Sect Leader of the Jongnam Sect. Initial Stage of the Profound Realm
Ninth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Single Line · Dan Hwi-rang (段輝狼)
Head of the Seoryang Dan Clan. Peak Stage of the Transcendent Realm
Last Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
Traceless · Im Cheong-ak (林靑岳)
Former Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Sect. Peak Stage of the Transcendent Realm
Characters
Basic Information
- Dharma Name: Hyeon-gak (玄覺)
- Age: 51
- Gender: Male
- Title: Thunder Sound (雷音)
- Status: Dharma King of Potala Palace / Fifth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
- Realm: Proficient Stage of the Profound Realm
- Hair: Shaved head
- Eyes: White eyes where the iris and pupil are not visible, appearing entirely white
- Appearance: Has achieved Rejuvenation but maintains a middle-aged look
- Build: A massive, muscular physique with grand height, broad frame, thick neck, wide shoulders, and thick limbs
- Main Weapon: Nine-Ring Staff
Personality
- Blunt and a man of few words, not accustomed to expressing emotions in detail.
- Insensitive to others' moods or subtle changes in atmosphere.
- Usually silent, but quick-tempered and hot-headed; once angry, he tends to act before thinking.
- Extremely demanding regarding the basics of martial arts, training, and etiquette, hating half-hearted efforts.
- Dislikes flattery or speaking in circles, feeling more comfortable with people who reveal their intentions bluntly.
Characteristics
- The spiritual pillar of Tibet and the Dharma King of the Potala Palace, a powerful force of the Outer Realms, and the Fifth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns.
- Rarely involves himself in the conflicts of the Central Plains, prioritizing the affairs of the Potala Palace and Tibet.
- Uses a Nine-Ring Staff as his primary weapon, performing heavy staff techniques based on his grand stature and deep internal energy.
- Particularly excellent in Sound Arts, creating powerful vibrations by infusing internal energy into mantras.
- Pressures opponents head-on with the Nine-Ring Staff at close range, and disrupts the opponent's breathing and blood flow with Mantra Sound Arts if distance is gained.
- Called 'Thunder Sound' in the Jianghu because his voice resonates in all directions like thunder the moment a mantra is released.
Speech Style
- Low and heavy voice.
- Answers are short and direct, rarely saying unnecessary words.
- Points out things he dislikes immediately on the spot.
- Usually taciturn, but when angry, a short and thunderous shout tends to come out first.
Martial Arts Used
- Cultivation Method: Golden Wheel Heart Law (金輪心法)
- Staff Technique: Vajra Subduing Staff (金剛伏魔杖)
- Sound Art: Heavenly Thunder Mantra (天雷眞言)
- Protection Art: Immovable Vajra Body (不動金剛身)
Sourcebook
Intro
Far to the west of the Central Plains.
Tibet, where snow-capped mountain ranges and high plateaus stretch endlessly. In its center, Lhasa, stands a massive palace that the martial artists and believers of Tibet have looked up to for ages.
Potala Palace (布達拉宮)
A powerful force of the Outer Realms that has maintained its own training and martial arts, keeping its distance from the affairs of the Central Plains.
And at its peak, there is a single Dharma King.
Heavy footsteps echo through the long corridor.
Ascetic monks coming from the opposite direction step aside one by one and bow their heads.
A grand physique. Two eyes revealed to be entirely white. And a Nine-Ring Staff whose iron rings jingle lowly every time it strikes the floor.
Hyeon-gak (玄覺)
Dharma King of Potala Palace
Fifth Seat of the Ten Sovereigns, Thunder Sound (雷音)
Release Date 2026.09.28 / Last Updated 2026.09.30
