Absolute Ultimate Martial Lord

sandals0sandals4mo ago

5.0

This is from the same author/artist as Return of the Immortal Monk as well as Peerless (not Peerless Dad). This is not done in a "modern" manhwa style, and I wouldn't recommend this for your first murim (martial arts) manhwa. The style of writing and art have an older style... instead of clean, tight, and punchy, the series is nuanced, airy, and has a ephemeral quality to it. Characters are taken seriously, especially Toaists, and the way they speak and act can be baffling or impenetrable, because their minds are focused on intangibles or non-material ideas. Like many works of this kind, there are frustrating moments of loss and betrayal, and that high drama is usually the biggest draw for the reader. These kinds of stories are best read when you've had your fill of modern stories and, with your accumulated knowledge about Murim/Martial arts stories in tow, you approach this like you're admiring an old piece of furniture, with all kinds of grooves and wear to it. If I had a complaint, its the pacing. These types of stories often jump a day or two in time here and there. It's hard to say if that's an artifact of the original work (it might be a reflection of a change in chapter, for example). You'll find yourself getting your bearings mid-chapter at times as it swaps to people you haven't met yet. Just hang on through those moments and take them as they are- you don't need to know everything about them to be satisfied with the scene presented as it is. This work has character, its has the unique style of this artist, and the story is compelling. What else can we ask for?