NOVEL NEXT Chapter 798
Chapter 15: The True Martial Home
“I have to fight someone of equal strength or stronger ten times in a row?”
It wasn’t an impossible challenge, but it absolutely frustrated me. Such experts were scarce in this world, and the guarantee of winning was non-existent.
“If we’re talking about ten people…”
First up were the Master of the White Lotus Sect, the Master of the Twelve Joules, and Miyamoto Musashi. Apart from them, there was the reincarnated Yong Junil. There were other names too, but they were all formidable foes. Even in my current state, I could easily be defeated or even killed by those experts. Facing them in a series of life-and-death battles was literally a gamble with my life.
I wanted to ask Yeodong-bin more about it, but he disappeared and didn’t come back. While I stood there in despair, Jin So-cheong, whose spiritual state had calmed after Jang Sam-bong’s interruption, spoke to me.
“Baek Woong. Let’s take it easy today; you look tired.”
“… Jin So-cheong. What do you think about Yeodong-bin’s words earlier?”
“…….”
Jin So-cheong fell silent before finally replying.
“There’s some merit in it.”
“Are you saying that if I duel over ten formidable foes, I could reach the Absolute Realm?”
“The essence of the matter isn’t quite that….”
Jin So-cheong looked at me with thoughtful eyes.
“Baek Woong. For you, is the Absolute Realm just a means or an end?”
“……?”
That was an unexpected question. When I glanced at Jin So-cheong, he continued.
“What Yeodong-bin truly meant was likely that…”
“What do you mean? Is it really that important whether it’s a means or an end?”
“Yes. The very fact that you’re questioning me about it indicates you consider the Absolute Realm as merely a means.”
“… Hmm.”
He had a point. As I crossed my arms in thought, Jin So-cheong sat on a nearby rock with his spear, looking at the bright moonlight while a cool night breeze blew.
“Baek Woong. In reality, you’re already an extraordinary hero.”
“Where’s that coming from all of a sudden…?”
“With your current abilities, while you might not save the world as a whole, you could at least bring peace to the Central Plains for a hundred years. But precisely because you are such a hero… you can’t view martial arts for what they truly are.”
“…….”
“You desperately wish for the Absolute Realm, yet the reason behind it is unlike that of an ordinary martial artist. For you, the Absolute Realm is merely a method to encounter the Martial God.”
“That’s true.”
“That vast perspective is already distorted and extraordinary.”
He wore a strangely sad smile.
“For most martial artists, this world begins and ends in the Martial Arts World. Even if the worldview expands, it’ll only reach the realm of transformation or heavenly contraction, and tales of mysterious western lands are simply entertaining rumors. Therefore, the average martial artist is satisfied as long as they become strong enough to stand at the pinnacle of the Martial Arts World.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Your worldview is too vast. Therefore, you can’t focus solely on martial arts.”
I sensed that I understood what Jin So-cheong meant.
So, after organizing my thoughts for a moment, I replied.
“You mean I need a pure heart and passion to reach the ultimate in martial arts?”
“Precisely. In my opinion, a new wall blocking you is precisely that widened worldview.”
“Uh-huh…!!”
“Yeodong-bin sensed that about you, so he concluded that the only answer to focus amidst all distractions was life-and-death battles. The Absolute Realm is not so lenient.”
It was a perspective I hadn’t considered.
Was I not approaching martial arts purely enough?
‘… Maybe that’s true.’
Since some time ago, I’ve been collecting legendary martial skills and treasures, but I’d always made excuses about gathering the Seven Luminaries, leaving little time for genuine training, racing around like mad. And perhaps after realizing the existence and power of the Absolute Realm, I’d unconsciously belittled it, comparing it to the chaos between heaven and earth.
Because of that, even now, under the pretext of seeking hope, I’d forgotten to humbly approach martial skills, merely acting habitually to learn techniques.
I realized my innermost thoughts.
Honestly, I might have thought I didn’t need to reach the Absolute Realm immediately if I could meet the Martial God. After all this reincarnation, wasn’t it likely I’d reach it someday? Of course, I consciously thought I shouldn’t think that way, but the kind of ‘desperation’ was indeed completely different!
In that moment, I recognized that Jin So-cheong had awakened an epiphany in my heart. So I sat there and bowed my head to him.
“Thank you, Jin So-cheong.”
“I’m not admonishing you, Baek Woong. I wonder if there’s anyone more earnest about martial arts than you… But if the Absolute Realm is something you crystallize your life into, you too must face it with your life.”
“I understand what you mean.”
It was just a single overnight duel, and I had achieved nothing. However, from Jin So-cheong’s words, I could find the path I needed to take, and I felt a little of the frustration I’d been feeling had eased.
‘That’s right. Let’s give it a try as Yeodong-bin suggested!’
Engaging in fierce battles to the death with strong adversaries was something every man should experience at least once!
Though in my case, it felt more like everyday life, fighting for the sake of pure martial arts meant something entirely different. I spoke to Jin So-cheong.
“But there are very few worthy opponents to fight for my life. Even if I wish to battle the Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Master of the Twelve Joules, I don’t know if they’d even accept a direct challenge….”
Jin So-cheong chuckled at my words.
“Baek Woong, before diving into a life-and-death match, why not focus on refining Jang Sam-bong’s techniques a bit more?”
“Huh?”
“That affair requires discussion with your strategists. But jumping into a life-and-death match could mean dying without achieving anything, so we need time for our whole group to grow in strength. Especially, we should wait until Mangnyang ascends to the Gate of Opportunity.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“And there are many aspects of Jang Sam-bong’s techniques you haven’t mastered, so it’d be a pity not to gain from this opportunity. It’s a rare chance.”
“Understood.”
I began to retreat into training once again, just as Jin So-cheong had advised.
While sparring daily with Jang Sam-bong, I also started refining the Seven Great Techniques and the Eight Immortal Divine Art. Jang Sam-bong seemed to realize the essence of the Auxiliary Troops and the King of Hell techniques instantly, as if absorbing them in one go. It looked like there wouldn’t be a need for a significant amount of practice, and reflecting my astonishment, Jang Sam-bong commented.
[Lower-level martial arts are tied to higher-level understanding, and the Seven Great Techniques were originally my creation. You too should easily be able to absorb lesser martial arts.]
“I see.”
[Moreover, having observed you for a while, I believe you should focus on practicing the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic. It’s the closest to breaking through among the Seven Great Techniques, and with just a little effort, you’ll grasp its profound essence.]
Following Jang Sam-bong’s guidance, I dedicated the next six months to relentless practice centered on the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic. Finally, after painstaking efforts, I had new techniques at my disposal.
“Haah.”
I pressed my hands against the ground and took a deep breath. Then, I attempted to manifest my newly acquired essence.
True Martial Seven Cuts Classic
Resonance Sect
<Zhe Zheng!!>
The energy I infused into the ground resonated, conveying the surrounding conditions. The concept was that the qi would act like a wave to expand your sensing range, feeling the interior as if seeing right through it—this was the essence of the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic. Now, I had developed it further so that I could manipulate the waves themselves for offense and defense.
Thud thud thud!
Moments later, a boulder twenty meters away cracked and crumbled. Witnessing this, I felt satisfied.
“Awesome!”
Not only that, but I could now also form waves to create protective barriers, significantly enhancing my Protection Energy Technique’s efficiency. While I still hadn’t acquired the ultimate protective technique known as the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic’s Seven Cuts Light Wings, it would have genuinely taken me a decade to reach this point myself. Thankfully, Jang Sam-bong had massively expedited my training process by over twenty times.
Moreover, I could now use the King of Hell technique without looking clumsy, and my understanding of the Five Element Energy had surprisingly matured as well. Overall, concentrating on technique acquisition had allowed me to make significant progress.
As I broke the rock while practicing with the Resonance Sect, Jang Sam-bong’s spirit remarked.
[Now begins the real trial. For the next three years, I will refine the foundations of the techniques you have been practicing awkwardly and teach you the profound connections I established in life. Only with that level of proficiency can you elevate the power of the Eight Immortal Divine Art.]
“Hmm…, Grand Master Jang.”
[Do you have a question?]
“Is it really going to be beneficial for me to refine my foundation and skills like this to reach the Absolute Realm?”
[Yes. You’ve learned a vast array of martial arts, but you still haven’t grasped the intricate flow of them, making you reveal weaknesses as the battles grow deeper. Refining your basics is always commendable.]
Just then.
“Paaah!!”
With a wind that seemed to exude darkness, the new arrival from the Zhuge Clan appeared nearby. Zhuge Sa immediately addressed me.
“How’s the training going?”
“Good.”
“Bring me some tea. I have something to discuss.”
I entered the manor and prepared some tea for Zhuge Sa. As Jin So-cheong sat beside me, facing Zhuge Sa, he took a sip from his cup before speaking.
“Earlier, I heard from Yeodong-bin about having to challenge strong opponents ten times.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’ve been training intensely for the last six months after passing on that message to you. I decided to wait for your strategy before moving forward.”
“…….”
He took another sip before saying.
“After giving it much thought, I have come up with a good plan.”
“Really?!”
Zhuge Sa nodded and began to explain his tactic.
“There are three key points. First, you cannot challenge someone like the Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Master of the Twelve Joules without the risk of getting caught if things go wrong. Even if you manage to escape, they likely won’t fight you in a one-on-one duel. If you survive, you’ll be tangled in major cause-and-effect threads, and it could end with you in desperation and dying.”
“That’s probably true.”
“Second, the number of opponents you could reasonably face in a life-and-death match doesn’t even reach ten. Regardless of their martial arts level, the amount of internal power you possess is beyond imagination, which changes your rank in a sense. The solution is to grow your companions into experts capable of the Absolute Realm before you fight.”
“…….”
“Lastly, even if you sort out the first two issues, the fact that it’s a True Sword match brings another problem. Winning is great, but if you lose, you’ll die and be reincarnated without gaining anything. That just increases your reincarnation counts and doesn’t lead anywhere worthwhile.”
With a smirk, Zhuge Sa added.
“… So the only option left is to leverage your advantages as a reincarnated person.”
“What?”
“Hey, Baek Woong, are there not other experts at the Absolute Realm aside from the Master of the White Lotus Sect, the Master of the Twelve Joules, and Dongyoung?”
“Um…, currently, I don’t think so.”
Though it felt a bit embarrassing, as far as I knew, there were no other absolute masters from Central Plains. The Master of the White Lotus Sect, the Master of the Twelve Joules, Musashi, Hong Gil-dong, all hailed from the White Lotus Sect or the new martial arts world. Of course, half a century later, the unmatched genius Tang San would appear as a Poison King, reaching the Absolute Realm, but that was a story for a long time away. In the past, Lee Cheong-un or the Four Great Dharma Protectors of the White Lotus Sect from a millennium ago could be considered at the Absolute Realm, but in the end, they were from the White Lotus Sect, not the Central Plains.
“There’s one more.”
“What?”
“I came across some interesting news while doing my research through various channels. There exists a Martial Arts World in the Western Heavenly Contraction area, and they say there are many martial artists there who know how to use qi just like in the Central Plains. Furthermore, the ruler of that Heavenly Contraction Martial Arts World is said to be a person named Pasun, who has maintained a legend of invincibility for 300 years.”
“……!!”
I widened my eyes upon hearing that.
“Pa, Pasun? Could it really be that guy…?”
“Did it spark a memory?”
I gasped in shock.
“Apothecarian, Asura! Are you trying to tell me to fight that guy?”
Indeed.
[Is this the compassion of a warrior?]
[Hah…, my name as a human is Pasun, ruler of the Heavenly Contraction Martial Arts World…. If you manage to return from Dark Heaven Village, please inform my friend Krishna that I have passed…. It’s a request.]
In the 24th round, when I challenged Dark Heaven Village, the Eight Parts of the Divine Asura had chased me all the way to assassinate me. Thankfully, with the help of Master Cheon Gong-pyo, I was able to easily repel him, but he was a formidable existence I could never defeat in my original state. When I killed Asura, I heard his last words, revealing that he had the name Pasun while active as a human.
In response to my reflection, Zhuge Sa said.
“You can choose to fight him or not. It was merely a side note I investigated. His friend Krishna is also reputed to be quite strong, so perhaps this can serve to balance the odds.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This is where the main point lies.”
Zhuge Sa shrugged.
“You don’t have to strictly adhere to the condition of ten True Sword matches set by Yeodong-bin. Whether you engage in ten battles all in one lifespan or face death ten times is irrelevant! What’s important is how much you gain from those True Sword matches to ascend to the Absolute Realm.”
In a nonchalant manner, Zhuge Sa elaborated.
“Ultimately, it comes down to how well you can die.”
“……?!”
“It’s a shift in mindset. Going back to that first issue I earlier raised? Fighting recklessly and getting caught can be quite a problem, so challenging those people would be tough. On the flip side, if you can die without any worries if you lose, then it wouldn’t matter. So, I have been developing methods for you to die easily over the last six months.”
“…….”
“If you can die cleanly, then it doesn’t matter if you challenge the Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Master of the Twelve Joules. If you lose, you’ll just die, and that’s that.”
What on earth was he talking about?
“Here, take this.”
Zhuge Sa tossed me a vial. As I caught it in surprise, he grinned widely.
“You tried to commit suicide right before the Master of the White Lotus Sect by smashing your heart meridian, and he resurrected you, didn’t he? That way, you’re not permanently killed, so bursting your heart meridian isn’t a great method of suicide. So take this potion before dueling; if you lose, the curse will instantly kill you.”
“What, are you serious?”
“I’ve diligently researched twenty-one methods of suicide. If you master them all, you’ll be able to die faster and with more certainty than anyone else.”
Zhuge Sa put down the huge sack he’d been carrying and grinned.
“Isn’t this how it should’ve been? If you’re a reincarnated person, you should have researched a painless, speedy restart!”