The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

– Radiant Vindicator (Previously: Mingjiaowei)

– The Primal Convergence (Previously: The Five Qi Return to the Origin)

– The Trinity Bloom (Previously: The Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit)

– The Layered Cloud Form (Previously:The Distant Cloud, Layered Wall Form)

——————————

Chapter 29: The Karma Exchange Religion (2)

What was densely written on the slip of paper that the Dharma Master had shown him were secret verses.

At a glance, it seemed as if the doctrines that the Karma Exchange Cult Leader had just explained in his sermon were written there, but they were clearly the secret verses of a martial art.

‘This is no ordinary secret verse.’

Thanks to the memories of the Sword Emperor, who had achieved The Primal Convergence in his past life, he was able to grasp the true value of the secret verses in a single breath. They were not secret verses that a member of a mere new religion, not even a great sect, should have possessed.

The pupils of Namgung Jun, in which the secret verses were reflected, grew cold. But that, too, was only for a moment. As if he knew nothing, he asked the Dharma Master with sparkling eyes.

“These appear to be the secret verses of a martial art.”

“It is both a hidden martial art and a doctrine of our religion. If you learn these secret verses, you can take in the karma of others.”

“Take in karma?”

Though Namgung Jun asked back as if he did not understand, the conviction that had blossomed in his heart grew even larger.

The action of the Dharma Masters and the commoners matching their hands.

The appearance of the commoners, who seemed to have lost their strength after matching hands.

The abundant food that was given to everyone.

The bizarre doctrine of reaching the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss by giving and receiving karma.

All the circumstances clicked into place, and a single conclusion popped out.

‘The Energy-Absorbing Great Art.’

Various branches of the Energy-Absorbing Great Art existed in the Demonic Path, and in the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, the Bright Prospect Absorption Art existed.

The Sun and Moon Demonic Cult’s Energy-Absorbing Great Art, which sucked out a person’s Yang Qi or Yin Qi through physical contact.

It was also the first Demonic Art that the Demonic Beings of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult learned.

When the Demonic Beings of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult are initiated into their martial arts, they immediately use the Bright Prospect Absorption Art to fill their newly formed Cinnabar Field with energy.

Instead of settling the natural energy of the world into their bodies as internal energy through an internal art like an ordinary martial artist, they would extort and absorb each other’s energy.

‘Once they build up their first energy through absorption like that, their Cinnabar Field changes to show a much higher efficiency for absorption than for Qi circulation and breath regulation.’

This was also the reason why the Demonic Beings of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult were so obsessed with absorption. Of course, they could also build up internal energy through Qi circulation, but the speed of accomplishment lagged far behind that of absorption.

‘Naturally, they come to see the value of life as low and do not hesitate to absorb energy.’

To gradually deviate from the proper path of a human for the sake of one’s own desires.

It was the form of a typical Demonic Path.

‘Demon bastards who have given up on the proper path of a human.’

For a moment, a killing intent toward the Demonic Beings boiled up, but Namgung Jun looked over the secret verses again with a composed bearing.

To hide the fact that its roots were in a Demonic Art, needlessly profound and abstract secret verses were included, and the efficacy of the absorption also seemed to have been degraded.

Despite this, it was clear that it belonged to a branch of the Energy-Absorbing Great Art.

Just as Namgung Jun was about to examine the secret verses in more detail, the Dharma Master stealthily extended his arm and retrieved the paper.

“If you are initiated into our religion, you will be able to learn this Divine Supreme Art. The position of you, Young Master, and of the Hong Family Manor will also be elevated.”

To speak of such things as a Divine Supreme Art for what was a crude Demonic Art was simply laughable, but Namgung Jun maintained an expressionless face.

Though he had found clear proof, this alone was not enough. Something more certain was needed.

‘To dig deeper from here.’

Having made his decision, Namgung Jun shook his head. While deliberately putting on a reluctant expression.

“I cannot decide on this spot.”

At the vague answer, the smile on the Dharma Master’s face became slightly dry, and Namgung Jun added.

“In exchange, could you arrange for a place for me to stay?”

“A place to stay?”

“I would like to stay here and learn more about the Karma Exchange Religion. As this is a matter that is difficult to decide all at once.”

Only then did the Dharma Master’s face brighten.

“Very well. For to be initiated into a new martial art and religion is a momentous matter.”

***

While Heo Il and Gong Jun-am were each carrying out their investigation into the Karma Exchange Religion in their own way, Namgung Jun consistently interacted with the Dharma Master.

While listening to the doctrines of the Karma Exchange Religion, he began to dig for information about the Energy-Absorbing Great Art little by little.

“According to your teachings, Dharma Master, it seems one could raise their maturity of internal energy very easily.”

“What do you think? Someone of your level, Young Master, would be able to obtain the qualifications of a Dharma Master within a year.”

The Dharma Master would gently coax Namgung Jun whenever he had the chance.

However, he absolutely did not show anything more than a certain level about the Karma Exchange Religion.

As if to say that only by being initiated could he be told what came next.

‘According to what Senior Heo said, the number of heads of those who enter and those who leave the Karma Exchange Religion’s headquarters is different.’

If that was the case, then the answer was that some of the commoners were not coming out from within the Karma Exchange Religion’s headquarters.

They were likely being detained, or had lost their lives.

‘Furthermore, there is a high possibility that, as in the case of Dongling, there are commoners being dragged here from all over Anhui Province.’

He had to find out what had happened to them. Though there was no time limit on the mission, the lives of the commoners did not have such a luxury.

The more he hurried, the more people he would be able to save.

‘I can’t drag this out any longer.’

Namgung Jun asked the Dharma Master directly.

“Looking at the doctrines and the secret verses I have heard until now, it would be correct to say that the martial art you have offered me, Dharma Master, has the function of sucking out an opponent’s energy.”

“You use the expression ‘energy’ because you are a martial artist, Young Master, but by the standards of our religion, the expression ‘karma’ is correct.”

At the Dharma Master’s wordplay, Namgung Jun paused for a breath and then retorted.

“In the Martial World, this kind of martial art is called a Demonic Art. I have the desire to be initiated into the Karma Exchange Religion, but I am hesitant to be initiated because of the risk of being branded a public enemy of the Martial World.”

Namgung Jun had openly used the words Demonic Art.

Despite this, the Dharma Master merely let out a leisurely smile.

As if he had experienced this kind of situation many times.

“It is a difference of thought and usage. The martial art of our religion clearly brings salvation to the common people.”

The Dharma Master stroked the sword beside him. In the headquarters, only members who had reached the rank of Dharma Master were allowed to carry weapons.

“If you learn the martial art of our religion and perform good deeds, who would criticize you, Young Master? How one uses it is what is important.”

Namgung Jun closed his eyes while still sitting in the lotus position.

Even with his eyes closed, he could not hide the expression full of anguish, and the Dharma Master watched with a look of interest.

After a moment of time had passed, Namgung Jun opened his eyes.

“What you say is right, Dharma Master.”

“Young Master. So you have finally understood my words.”

“However, for not only myself but the entire Hong Family Manor to convert to the Karma Exchange Religion as you wish, Dharma Master, there must be a definite factor with which I can persuade my father.”

“Hmm. You mean to say you wish to confirm the efficacy of our religion’s martial art for yourself.”

Namgung Jun nodded his head. The Dharma Master, who had been contemplating for a moment, showed a gentle smile.

“I suppose I must let you know the joy of salvation for yourself, Young Master. Please follow me.”

***

The Dharma Master moved his steps toward the innermost pavilion of the Karma Exchange Religion’s headquarters. The Dharma Master, who was feeling Namgung Jun’s presence following behind him, secretly let out a sneer.

‘I’ve almost got him coaxed.’

Though Namgung Jun had not definitely decided to be initiated, the Dharma Master knew well from his experiences until now.

‘This brat has already been won over. He is merely looking for a justification to rationalize it to himself.’

He had seen many cases like this.

They read the secret verses, notice that it is the Energy-Absurbing Great Art, and become hesitant to be initiated.

Easily accumulated internal energy, and initiation into the Demonic Path.

The moment they begin to agonize between these two, they are already halfway won over.

Martial artists could not easily give up on internal energy. Rather, they were fanatically obsessed with it.

It was bound to be so.

For a martial artist was one who felt that no matter how much internal energy they had, it was still not enough.

The fact that the Dharma Master had brought Namgung Jun to this place now was, in truth, all intentional.

If he were to show those who were almost won over the sight of becoming stronger right before their eyes, then after that, things would proceed without a hitch.

Just like right now.

‘If I can make this brat and the Hong Family Manor be initiated into our religion in their entirety, I too can learn a higher level of study.’

The Dharma Master hid his pleased expression and opened his mouth.

“Look. Those who are in this place are all demons. They have a great deal of karma built up.”

“Why are they demons?”

“They are those who have denied the doctrines of our religion head-on and tried to commit evil acts.”

Namgung Jun slowly looked around his surroundings.

Though on the outside it looked like an ordinary pavilion, the inside was a prison, its space divided by countless iron bars.

Inside it, a great many people were trapped, regardless of age or gender. Among them, though a small number, martial artists were also mixed in.

‘It seems they are all those who, for whatever reason, expressed doubt or dissatisfaction with the Karma Exchange Religion.’

Though he could not know the detailed circumstances, looking at how things were unfolding, it was highly likely that they were innocent.

As he saw the people, whose eyes were extinguished of light as if they had lost the will to live, a heat surged up from deep within him.

‘Huu.’

But Namgung Jun did not let it show and slowly opened his mouth.

“Then I suppose I must take in their karma.”

“That is correct. The demons can never return to being ordinary people. For that reason, death is their salvation.”

The Dharma Master stealthily observed Namgung Jun’s expression.

There was no wavering in Namgung Jun’s eyes. It seemed he had already hardened his decision in his own way.

“Hah!”

The Dharma Master, as if he had been waiting for this moment, erupted with his aura. The internal energy that he had built up until now with the Energy-Absorbing Great Art instantly covered the grounds.

It was an amount of internal energy that a martial artist of the same age could not easily accumulate. Perhaps it would only be possible for the disciples of a great sect who consumed spiritual medicines regularly.

The Dharma Master looked at Namgung Jun with a proud expression.

“Look. See how I become stronger by bringing salvation to the demons.”

It was the moment the Dharma Master was about to extend his hand toward the commoners before him.

“Dharma Master. You said it yourself just before.”

“What did I say?”

“The difference of thought and usage. And that how one uses a martial art is what is important.”

Though a question arose in the Dharma Master’s mind as to why he was suddenly bringing this up, he agreed for the time being.

“That is correct.”

“I think the same.”

At some point, Namgung Jun’s extended hand had reached the Dharma Master’s waist.

He had grabbed the hilt of the sword that was hanging on his sash. Even until then, the Dharma Master had not properly perceived Namgung Jun’s movement.

It was when the Dharma Master’s eyelids were slowly rising.

“Your Martial Arts and your Sword are used merely to steal and to kill. Solely for your own sake.”

The powerful aura of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, spewing from Namgung Jun’s entire body, harassed the hem of the Dharma Master’s robes.

‘Now that I have identified the location, the best course of action is to retreat for now and report the situation.’

But if he were to do that, the commoner before him would surely die. Though it was only one person, Namgung Jun could not abandon this commoner.

The heart that does not turn away.

Because that was one of his codes of righteousness.

‘It also takes courage to grasp the small things. Therefore, this too is righteousness.’

Simultaneously recalling Lee Se-ha’s righteousness, Namgung Jun pulled the sword hilt up without hesitation.

As a disciple, Namgung Jun wished to rightly follow the righteousness of his master.

“Therefore, your Martial Arts are villainy, and your Sword is nothing more than a piece of scrap metal.”

A perfectly natural reverse-grip sword draw. The blade soared up, cutting through the air with a clean whoosh.

Spurt!

Namgung Jun sliced off the right arm of the Dharma Master, which had been extending toward the commoner. It was instantaneous.

“Kkeuaaak!”

As the Dharma Master opened his eyes in disbelief, Namgung Jun’s clear and bright gaze shone with a menacing edge.

“Now that it has been used in a righteous situation.”

Crackle!

The blade that Namgung Jun held was dappled with blue lightning energy. As it erupted with a spotlessly clear light and illuminated the surroundings, all those who were trapped in the prison looked at Namgung Jun.

“Your piece of scrap metal can now be called a sword.”

At some point, the sword held in Namgung Jun’s hand had been aimed at the point between the Dharma Master’s eyebrows.