NOVEL NEXT Chapter 823
**823——————==**
**True Martial Home**
The Master of the Twelve Joules is blocking my path, preventing Jang Sam-bong’s final move. Surely, it’s not out of pure intention to show me the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique.
‘They’re trying to stop me from… committing suicide.’
I’m desperate for information. If I can just obtain any piece of intel before I die, it would be worth it. I’ve been incredibly anxious to learn about the Absolute Realm of the Master of the Twelve Joules, the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique. The Master must have sensed my intentions, so rather than forcibly stopping my suicide, they’ve constructed desires that keep me from dying.
And that strategy worked perfectly. The moment I heard those words, I could no longer choose suicide as an option. Considering how hard my companions and I had worked to uncover the truth behind the Master of the Twelve Joules’ secrets, I simply couldn’t refuse the opportunity they presented.
As I remained silent, the Master of the Twelve Joules spoke up.
“The killing intent has disappeared. Well thought out.”
“Did you see the memories of the obsidian?”
“What good is asking? That’s why you came here.”
“So you’ve been spying on the Celestial Realm from the very beginning.”
“…….”
The Master of the Twelve Joules suddenly stared at me in silence. I couldn’t read their expression due to the mask, but somehow I sensed their disbelief. Sure enough, they soon burst into laughter.
“Ha-ha! Is that what you call a statement? Are you trying to have a battle of wits with me? It’s truly amusing whether you’re clever or just foolish….”
They began to chuckle before saying,
“Think about it from my perspective, Baek Woong. You and I aren’t on such familiar terms anymore.”
“We’ve become merely a relationship where we get what we need from each other.”
“Think about it from our positions?”
I struggled to understand their words when Jang Sam-bong interjected.
“I’m really curious about you, Master of the Twelve Joules. No matter how many talented people Goryeo has, there can’t be anyone like you.”
“Those who have seen Baek Woong’s memories all think that way. Since Baek Woong has uncovered quite a bit about me during his lives, I have to admit, it chilled me to the bone—if I had messed up, I would have been at risk of losing everything.”
The Master of the Twelve Joules shrugged nonchalantly.
“Well, that’s enough of that. We don’t have time to waste; let’s have a spar, Jang Sam-bong.”
“Cast off your foolish desires.”
“Desires drive the world, you know.”
*Piying—*
With a sound resembling a thread snapping, Jang Sam-bong and the Master of the Twelve Joules clashed for the first time!
With a loud crash, the Cosmic Fragment and Jang Sam-bong’s sword met. As if it had been choreographed, Jang Sam-bong’s Tai Chi Sword Form unleashed fifteen variations, sweeping over the Master’s defenses. Each was infused with the essence of the Wudang Sect’s swordsmanship, and their characteristics differed greatly, meaning failure to defend once would undoubtedly lead to dismemberment.
*Thud!*
The locks of the Cosmic Fragment emitted an aura of the first Tai Chi Sword Form, *Push*, as if it were natural. The second lock then connected with a move of the changed sword, *Lift*. When the sword family with the property of the Illusionary Sword, *Cut*, suddenly shot out like a dagger, the third lock slid off as if it were tracing a circle. That defense flawlessly absorbed Jang Sam-bong’s initial assault without the slightest waste of energy!
“……!!”
I was astounded to see the Master of the Twelve Joules’ defense from behind.
‘Wow… It’s perfect!!’
It was so flawless it sent chills down my spine!
Jang Sam-bong wasn’t just on par with Yeodong-bin in terms of martial prowess; without a doubt, he was the supreme expert in all martial arts. If Jang Sam-bong were to block or dodge the transformations of the Tai Chi sword, even the slightest disturbance would be inevitable. Yet the Master of the Twelve Joules appeared to execute their defense flawlessly, as if there was no room for error from the outset! That was truly the ultimate defense that experts dream of, even in their sleep!
“Hmm.”
Jang Sam-bong’s brows twitched before he extended his Three Refined Masters’ palm technique toward the Master of the Twelve Joules. His gigantic power, solidly intended to crush the opponent, would be difficult to slide off casually, but the Master of the Twelve Joules once again naturally raised their locks like a long sword and charged with the palm’s intent.
*Crack!*
With a sound reminiscent of lightning crashing, the locks of the Cosmic Fragment spun around, piercing through Jang Sam-bong’s formidable power, exposing his weakness. I was once more astonished by the Master of the Twelve Joules’ prediction.
‘Indeed, the central point of the Three Refined Masters’ palm is the strongest, but if the center can be breached, that presents the biggest weakness…. However, that’s….’
It’s impossible to figure this out without directly experiencing it from Jang Sam-bong!
But the Master of the Twelve Joules, for some strange reason, pierced right through the maximum weakness of the Three Refined Masters’ palm with minimal movement. In that way, it didn’t matter how powerful a force was concentrated in the Three Refined Masters, it would be useless.
*CRACK!*
*Boom!*
After roughly sixty seconds of clashes! Throughout the battle, Jang Sam-bong relentlessly attacked, while the Master of the Twelve Joules defended, dodged, and occasionally retaliated. It shouldn’t have been out of the question to attack once, but the Master seemed unusually disinterested in offense.
‘Do they have no intention of winning?’
No matter how perfect the defense or counterattacks, it ultimately remained a passive strategy. If you wish to win through battle, you must strike. Yet the Master of the Twelve Joules appeared to be deliberately focusing on defense, regardless of energy consumption.
*Thud!*
The Cosmic Fragment and Jang Sam-bong’s sword strength clashed once again, causing Jang Sam-bong to take three steps back, correcting his posture as he spoke.
“… An impossible Absolute Realm… perfection… the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique… I think I understand now.”
“What does that mean?”
Jang Sam-bong replied firmly,
“It seems to be an Absolute Realm created by a being not of this world… When you fight me, it signifies that you must overcome nature. Not by overcoming oneself but rather through self-mastery.”
“…….”
“Moreover, it’s clear that you can never meet a Martial God…”
The Master of the Twelve Joules nodded.
“I’ve never met one. But why can’t I?”
“Because you don’t regard martial arts for what it truly is.”
“Ha-ha-ha….”
Instead of being surprised at Jang Sam-bong’s declarations, the Master of the Twelve Joules only sneered. After a moment, the Master ceased to scoff and spoke coldly.
“It doesn’t matter. After all, on that day when everything beneath the stars suffered, Martial Gods didn’t exist. I have no interest in seeking out nonexistent saviors.”
“A Martial God is not a savior.”
The Master of the Twelve Joules retorted.
“Then it matters even less to me. What’s the difference between an Absolute Being who does nothing and an observer?”
“Hmm….”
“Oh benevolent deity, if you’re going to do nothing, step off the stage! You’re nothing but a nuisance for humans!”
With a furious shout, Ha Eun-cheon suddenly unleashed a brilliant light.
“Now, I think I truly understand your foundation. Perhaps it’s time to dispose of the Overlay Technique!”
*Boom!*
With the sound of air shattering, Ha Eun-cheon unleashed their absolute intent and fired it toward Jang Sam-bong. Jang Sam-bong immediately adopted the Peerless Technique stance to nullify the attack, but at that moment, Ha Eun-cheon didn’t aim directly at Jang Sam-bong but unleashed their full power toward the ground below. The moment the locks of the Cosmic Fragment touched the ground, a perimeter of ten poles instantly transformed into silvery-white ice.
*Ka-boom!*
It’s collapsing!!
Due to the immense force, the ground of this underground divine temple, where the cocoon was located, crumbled, causing an earthquake. I quickly lifted the Yacha and tried to escape from this spot. Just then, I used the Heavenly Sovereign and the Light Body Technique to leap to the surface when I caught a glimpse of Jang Sam-bong unleashing the Peerless Technique.
*PA-AT!*
The ice dragon that seemed to surge forth from the Cosmic Fragment rushed at Jang Sam-bong with overwhelming momentum, but as soon as the harmony of yin and yang expanded in a circle, the dragon’s jaws exploded, showing Jang Sam-bong unscathed.
“That’s hardly enough.”
“Looks like it. I won’t be able to settle it with martial arts against you.”
Having nullified the initial strike from the Master of the Twelve Joules, Jang Sam-bong exuded an air of supremacy like an Absolute Being, enveloped by the energies of yin and yang. Even for the Master of the Twelve Joules, piercing through the absolute defense of Jang Sam-bong’s Peerless Technique proved impossible.
The Master of the Twelve Joules murmured,
“Then I must settle this through means other than martial arts.”
However, the next moment, my eyes went wide in shock.
*Wooooo*
*Wooooo—*
With a strange, eerie cry, space opened behind Ha Eun-cheon, revealing a colossal flaming bird taking shape. The flaming bird squirmed like a dragon for a moment before unfurling its wings, which were splendid like a peacock’s, blazing with mystical flames. It was huge, easily spanning thirty poles, and exuded such overwhelming spirit power that those at a distance felt as if they were suffocating.
*Piiiii!*
As Ha Eun-cheon mounted the flaming bird, it lifted into the air, and Jang Sam-bong, who faced them, spoke with a grim expression.
“… Phoenix.”
“I wouldn’t normally be able to entirely break through your Peerless Technique with this creature, but I’m aware you’re forcefully sustaining your presence in this realm by consuming the Law of Cause and Effect.”
“…….”
The Master of the Twelve Joules, folding their arms, stated,
“You need to leave.”
*Whoosh!*
In the next instant, a blinding flash filled my vision. At the same time, the Phoenix summoned by the Master of the Twelve Joules simply opened its mouth to emit a brilliant light, and I quickly realized that the divine altar, as well as the entire castle, was crumbling under its radiant power. A pillar of light expanded endlessly, and I was engulfed in the aftershock, sending me flying outside.
‘Aaaahhh!!’
I screamed internally as I soared out. Eventually, I was tossed to the ground, rolling helplessly. After what felt like a while of tumbling, immense pain flared across my body, incapacitating me temporarily. For a regular human, this impact could have killed them a hundred times over, yet this was mild in comparison.
“Ugh….”
As I staggered to my feet, suddenly a moonlit glow shone before my eyes, and I saw the door to space opening. Emerging through that door was the Master of the Twelve Joules, who waved one of their hands at me.
“Hey! Are you okay? Can you see this?”
“… Is that the Moon Sovereign’s ability?”
“Looks like it, huh? To be precise, I borrowed the power to activate theoretical techniques from the Moon Sovereign. Space Transmission Techniques are really convenient.”
“And Jang Sam-bong….”
“He’s returned to the Celestial Realm. Poor guy must have sustained quite an injury while forcefully maintaining his presence, he might even fall from Great Immortal to Earth Immortal… or possibly even a mere Human Immortal? Haha!”
The Master of the Twelve Joules spoke playfully, but I stared intently at their left arm.
“You don’t look unscathed either.”
Sure enough, the Master of the Twelve Joules had lost their left arm, and their shoulder was drenched in blood. Jang Sam-bong hadn’t gone easy on him. The Master then lowered their hand and summoned forth green light, and their limbs were rapidly regenerated.
“Now, I’m good as new.”
They muttered in awe.
“Jang Sam-bong is indeed incredible. To inflict this level of damage upon me for summoning the Phoenix. If I convert the Peerless Technique into an attack, would the destruction it causes be that great?”
The recovery ability of the Sacred Altar Tree is incredibly overpowered!
While I inwardly marveled at it, the Master of the Twelve Joules nodded, and moments later, the Three Masters made their appearance around me. I found myself instantly surrounded by the Master of the Twelve Joules and the Three Masters, and a wave of tension swept over me as I looked at the Master of the Twelve Joules.
“What are you going to do with me?”
“I told you before. From now on, we’ll be in a relationship where we only focus on what we need.”
“So what does that actually mean?”
“You seem to really not understand what I’m saying. How troublesome….”
The Master of the Twelve Joules shook their head and finally spoke.
“What you need is the peace of the world, right? So I’m offering you the opportunity to fight for that peace. In return, what I need is your reincarnation abilities, so I’ll need to extract that from you. I’ll take you to a suitable place to do that.”
“…….”
As I stood there in shock, Ha Eun-cheon placed a hand on my shoulder.
“We should help each other out.”