Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
I contemplated visiting Jangryeong Valley, but decided against it. It didn’t seem like anything significant would happen since both the Three Masters of Thunder God Lineage and Mangnyang were heading there. In the entire world, there were very few people who could mess with them unless they were the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Plus, Mangnyang had previously stated that there was no need for him to come looking for me, so I opted to just sit tight and relax.
‘What could Sword Intention be?’
For several days, I pondered that thought while occasionally playing with Miho.
Sword Intention!
It referred to one of the highest realms in swordsmanship, alongside Mind Control Sword Technique. It was said to transcend the mere concentration and projection of Qi, creating a momentum that looked like a star cluster. Sword Intention was rumored to hold power on a different level than sword energy or sword flames.
However, none of the masters I had encountered could use Sword Intention as easily as breathing. The likes of Hobak or Lee Kwang sometimes used it within their techniques, but that was only possible because those energies were fused from maximum sublimation within their skills. For someone like me, using Sword Intention forcibly through brute internal power was fundamentally impossible.
Moreover, Lee Kwang hadn’t confidently explained the method or essence behind casting Sword Intention. Until now, he had always kept me from enlightenment, but it felt different regarding Sword Intention. Even Sword Demon or Jin So-cheong couldn’t give me a proper explanation either. There was no doubt that Sword Intention required a study that was on a different dimension altogether.
So, while I was sitting in the valley chatting with Miho, I brought up Sword Intention.
“Sword Intention? Sword Power? You sure are a martial artist…”
Miho was giggling playfully, sitting on a rock and splashing her white feet in the valley water.
“You mentioned you acquired Jang Sam-bong’s insight, but didn’t it mention anything about this?”
“That’s a little strange.”
“How so?”
“It lacks any concrete techniques or principles to express Sword Intention, yet it’s full of metaphysical explanations.”
Even in Jang Sam-bong’s insights, there wasn’t a clear explanation regarding Sword Intention. It should’ve stated something straightforward like “if you use this technique, Sword Intention will manifest,” but there was none of that.
Instead, it was packed with a heavy scent of something Taoist and metaphysical. As someone who studied Qimen Dunjia and mystic arts, I struggled to fully comprehend it. Jang Sam-bong had probably condensed his unique insights into a cipher-like form.
After pondering my words, Miho said,
“Hmmm… In that case, there is one method.”
“What is it?”
“Objectively compare the differences between those who can use Sword Intention and you, who cannot. By doing that, perhaps you can figure out what you need on your own?”
“Is that so?”
Listening to Miho, something struck me, and I jumped up from my seat.
“Miho, I’m going to head out for a day. If Mangnyang or the Thunder God Lineage members return, please tell them I went to practice.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To Shadowless Gate in Henan.”
“Hmmm… Got it. Don’t worry and come back safely.”
Zoom!
I promptly used my Teleportation to travel to Shadowless Gate. Upon appearing near Shadowless Gate, the guards eyed me suspiciously and asked,
“Who are you?”
“I am Baek Woong, here to see the Master of Shadowless Gate.”
“Hmm… Is that you, Baek Woong?”
The chief guard murmured, seemingly recalling my previous visit. After a moment, he entered to report and returned.
“The Master is waiting for you.”
I followed them inside Shadowless Gate. The familiar interior appeared before me and soon enough, I arrived in the reception room where Seomun Daeryong, the Master of Shadowless Gate and one of the Eight Devils of Martial Daos sat calmly.
“What brings you here?”
“Martial artist Baek Woong requests to meet the Master.”
I respectfully greeted him. Last time, I came as Seomun Hye’s benefactor, but now I held no such qualifications. Turning away with a smile, Seomun Daeryong said,
“‘Martial Artist’ is a bit too humble. Your sect’s name has already spread across the Jianghu.”
“Pardon?”
“After the Thunder God Lineage obliterated the Huashan Sect, every force in the Jianghu is on alert. There’s chatter about whether or not your sect has the power to engage the Nine Great Sects directly.”
“……!”
It seemed that during the time I was unconscious, the Thunder God Lineage’s actions had stirred the Jianghu. Seomun Daeryong placed his hand on the table and said,
“I had suspected you would be someone of great deeds, but to think you’d be a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage… So, is there a message you are here to convey?”
He seemed to assume I was here on behalf of the Thunder God Lineage. It was a reasonable assumption considering the circumstances. Of course, I quickly waved my hands in denial.
“That’s not the case. Today, I’ve come seeking instruction as a mere swordsman.”
“Oh… Interesting. I thought you’d at least be here to train with our Shadowless Gate.”
“I might consider it in the future, but I don’t have a topic to discuss today.”
“Very well. Let’s hear what you have.”
Seomun Daeryong chuckled. I gazed at him for a moment before asking,
“What do you think Sword Intention is?”
“… Now that’s a tough question to throw at me,” he replied with a slightly bewildered look. I sighed and continued.
“I should consult my Thunder God Lineage about this, but since you have attained mastery over the sword, I truly wish to hear your perspective.”
“Your skill with the sword isn’t anything to scoff at. You could certainly call yourself a Sword Master. There must be a reason behind your inquiry.”
“Sword Intention resembles a star cluster, and I find it hard to understand since it cannot be explained in ordinary terms. I’ve contemplated this issue without arriving at a clear answer. Many masters hesitate to explain it directly as well…”
“Hmm…”
He crossed his arms and deep in thought. After a moment, he said,
“Very well. Follow me.”
I trailed behind Seomun Daeryong toward the sparring arena of Shadowless Gate. He stood facing me, maintaining a distance of about three feet while gripping his sword.
“Can you perform Void Object Manipulation?”
“I can manage that within a three-foot radius.”
“Show me.”
I threw my steel sword, embedding it into the ground. Then I used the technique of Void Object Manipulation to snatch it back with my hand. Watching the entire process, Seomun Daeryong asked again,
“Can you use Mind Control Sword Technique?”
“I cannot.”
“Why not? You can already exert force on nearby objects.”
“That’s an entirely different matter. Moving objects with Qi is one thing, but simply casting the sword is akin to Flying Sword Technique.”
“That’s the exact reason Mind Control Sword Technique is so challenging.”
Seomun Daeryong gave a rueful smile.
“Mind Control Sword Technique is the ultimate level of swordsmanship, its fundamental purpose is to liberate your sword from the confines of your body. Are you aware of that?”
“Yes.”
“It’s divided into three stages: Hand’s Control Sword Technique, Eye’s Control Sword Technique, and Mind Control Sword Technique. Each stage reflects how much you have transcended the limitations of your body. Can you freely control the sword through movement of the hand, or merely by observation through the eyes? Either way, it increases the effectiveness of your techniques.”
Swish…
Seomun Daeryong slowly reached out his hand. The sword gently fell from his fingertips and stopped mid-air as if anchored to a point.
“This is the Hand’s Control Sword Technique.”
“Yes…”
“The reason why most people confuse Flying Sword Technique with Mind Control Sword Technique is that there are many masters stuck at the first stage of Hand’s Control Sword Technique, never progressing further. Before reaching mastery, it is indeed accurate to say that Mind Control Sword Technique is less effective than simply using techniques.”
Seomun Daeryong lowered his hand. He then closed his eyes, seemingly cutting off his senses.
Whoosh!
In stark contrast, his sword shot toward me at an incredible speed, nearly reaching me in the blink of an eye—a velocity beyond my comprehension!
“……!!”
What moves at such speed?!
It felt like a flash of light!
My heart raced, and despite not activating my Vitality Barrier or Baek Woong’s Formation, I realized Seomun Daeryong’s Mind Control Sword Technique could easily end my life with just that strike. Frozen in place, he opened his eyes and retrieved his sword.
“This is the Eye’s Control Sword Technique. It’s the pinnacle of what I have achieved.”
“Eye’s Control Sword Technique? But you just closed your eyes.”
“Not those eyes. I turned my awareness and intent into my visual perception.”
“……?”
I was utterly baffled. How could one achieve Eye’s Control Sword Technique without opening their eyes? The way he translated awareness into visual perception completely contradicted everything I had theorized until now. Seomun Daeryong explained,
“I’ll clarify since it seems you’re struggling to grasp this. What you achieved with Void Object Manipulation was Qi, while my Mind Control Sword Technique utilizes awareness. In simpler terms, Qi is secondary and intent is primary. Likewise, Sword Intention isn’t something expressed through Qi by default.”
“W-What does that mean?”
I still couldn’t comprehend. My mind fumbled as Seomun Daeryong chuckled softly.
“Do you know the principle of Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence?”
“It dictates that the speed of internal power cultivation varies with willpower, influencing the circulation of blood and Qi.”
“Have you ever thought about how bizarre that is? If what you said is true, then those with the highest willpower should cultivate their internal power at unprecedented speeds. But there are clear limitations, aren’t there?”
“That’s the limits of the blood vessels present in the human body.”
“Exactly. No matter how extraordinary one’s mental and willpower may be, the effects gained through Heart, Qi, Blood, and Essence have limitations. However…”
Whoosh!
In that moment, Seomun Daeryong appeared behind me. I quickly turned around, but he was already standing back in his original position. I couldn’t help but wonder if I could even use my Vitality Barrier to catch up to that kind of speed. He continued speaking,
“In the ultimate martial realm, things differ. The dimensions change.”
“How did you do that?”
He shrugged his shoulders casually.
“I didn’t move just now. You merely perceived my intent and mistook it for my position.”
“……!”
“Intent is conceptually different from mental or willpower as typically understood. It’s akin to the Eight Consciousnesses described in Buddhism.”
Seomun Daeryong sighed.
“Well… since you don’t seem to grasp it, let’s leave it here for now.”
“I apologize for my ignorance.”
“It’s all right. Understanding this typically takes decades of cultivation.”
His bittersweet tone lingered as he summarized.
“In the end, whether it’s Sword Intention or Mind Control Sword Technique, it’s all about planting one’s will into the world from the garden of their mind. The reason why the masters you’ve encountered haven’t explained this fact to you is that it exists beyond mere words and descriptions. You must realize it for yourself to reach that understanding.”
What I heard struck me as the most concrete description regarding Sword Intention and Mind Control Sword Technique thus far. I pondered deeply.
‘Could it be that the secrets of Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong’s strength lie here?’
I had constantly struggled with the discrepancy of not being able to catch up to them despite years of training. However, according to Seomun Daeryong, there seemed to be a boundary of martial prowess that one could not leap over merely through cultivating internal power and techniques. I felt that Seomun Daeryong’s advice was invaluable, and expressed my sincere gratitude.
“Thank you so much.”
“It’s been quite a while. Why not grab a meal before you leave?”
“Yes.”
I accepted Seomun Daeryong’s hospitality and decided to eat before taking a nap. It wouldn’t be polite to refuse his kindness, and I thought it would be nice to spar perhaps once more before I parted. Eventually, when the meal was served, it surprisingly consisted of a simple vegetarian diet.
Clatter!
‘This is different from what I had last time.’
Last time there had been an extravagant feast, but today’s meal seemed strictly prepared for a practitioner. However, even if it was vegetarian, the dishes were finely crafted, so they were delicious. For some reason, Seomun Hye was sitting right next to me with a bright smile.
“You’re eating so well! My benefactor.”
“……”
“Try this too.”
“Umm…”
As Seomun Hye picked up a side dish with her chopsticks and offered it to me, I had no choice but to accept it, especially with Seomun Daeryong observing intently from across the table. As the three of us sat eating, I felt I couldn’t refuse with that watchful gaze on me.
“Are you disappointed that it’s not a lavish meal?”
“No, not at all.”
“I usually eat like this. Excessive meat only weighs one down and builds up heat in the body.”
Despite being the leader of the Eight Devils of Martial Daos, it seemed he maintained his body with a level that resembled a Taoist sect. Although Shadowless Gate merely stood on the edge of the unorthodox sects, it appeared to be very close to orthodox ideals. I became curious and asked during the meal,
“It seems you have no ambition for expansion. May I ask why?”
“Bragging in the Jianghu isn’t something to be proud of. The more grudges you accrue, the harder it becomes to manage. Plus, I dislike coercing others with authority.”
Clatter!
As he munched on his vegetable dish, Seomun Daeryong continued.
“Honestly, I don’t think your Thunder God Lineage being acknowledged for the Jianghu is a good thing either. While it’s recognized as a public advocate, if the Nine Great Sects were to maneuver and shape public sentiment, they could designate anyone regardless of merit.”
“So, you didn’t move the Eight Devils of Martial Daos this time?”
“Hmm…”
“I started ruling over the Shadowless Gate not for any power play motives. Just as the Nine Great Sects operate under the name of justice, many weaker sects may suffer because of that. My intention is to provide a refuge for those oppressed.”
“But wouldn’t that classify you as one of the unorthodox sects?”
“It can’t be helped. Those who benefit the most from the logic of dividing black and white will always be there.”
“Who benefits?”
“Did you not know?”
Seomun Daeryong placed his chopsticks down.
“What do you think will happen if there’s no enemy like the Eight Devils of Martial Daos?”
“Well… They would wield absolute power, right?”
“No, they don’t want that at all. The existence of a villain like the Eight Devils of Martial Daos permits the Justice League to stand. This way, they gain potential allies among the Jianghu.”
“And when dealing with the Nine Great Sects, they often engage in covert transactions with our Eight Devils of Martial Daos as well.”
“……!!”
I was taken aback. Until now, I thought the Nine Great Sects couldn’t wait to demolish us. I had no idea they maintained a covert coexistence. As I gaped, Seomun Hye calmly interjected.
“Father, isn’t this a bit too deep of a conversation?”
“No, Hye. You should listen closely. This is a common principle in the Jianghu.”
“Understood.”
“I know of at least a dozen small sects that were unjustly labeled as public enemies and perished. Many of them never committed any wrongdoings but simply fell out of favor amidst disputes with the Nine Great Sects. At this point, it’s clear that the Nine Great Sects represent the biggest menace to the Jianghu.”
“Hmm…”
I listened in silence before replying.
“However, the Eight Devils of Martial Daos also don’t act in a manner that can be deemed righteous, do they?”
“I can’t defend that. Normally, there’s a lot of wickedness involved.”
Seomun Daeryong chuckled wryly.
“However, keep in mind, the Eight Devils of Martial Daos don’t represent all evil scattered around the world. Even if the Eight Devils of Martial Daos were to perish, another unorthodox sect would arise somewhere else. So then, wouldn’t it be necessary to intervene to save those who artificially create the divide?”
That was an astonishing perspective.
The symbiotic relationship between Eight Devils of Martial Daos and the Justice League! Moreover, Seomun Daeryong’s thoughts opened a door for contemplation. I paused my meal, reflecting on the discussions tremendously. After a while of sorting through my thoughts, I looked at Seomun Daeryong and asked,
“Would you consider that your perspective regarding our Thunder God Lineage?”
“That’s not incorrect.”
He gazed at me with profound eyes before speaking.
“I’m willing to form a Union with the Thunder God Lineage. If you desire, the Eight Devils of Martial Daos can also lend assistance.”
“A union…!!”
I murmured,
“I can’t decide that on my own.”
“That’s true. I’d prefer to keep this as light chatter over a meal.”
“……”
He was truly an astute person, seamlessly delivering heavy thoughts in passing. With such a weighty discussion, my appetite was somewhat diminished.
‘In any case, I’ll need to discuss this with Mangnyang.’
After finishing my meal, I turned in for the night.
Yet, to my surprise, Seomun Hye followed me into my room. I glanced at her and said,
“This isn’t your room…”
“I can’t sleep alone.”
Seomun Hye gently approached and sat beside my bed. Taking my hand, she asked,
“Would you mind sharing your story with me, dear benefactor?”
This felt dangerous. I sensed that simply chatting wouldn’t be enough. There was a calculating glint in her eyes that made me uneasy. I quickly cleared my throat and said,
“Ahem! I’m terribly tired and shouldn’t linger awake.”
“Of course.”
As I lay down, Seomun Hye lay down right next to me.
“……”
“……”
It felt natural enough that I found myself rendered speechless. As she settled beside me, Seomun Hye whispered,
“Good night.”
“W-Wait! Why are we sharing the same bed?”
“My room is under construction.”
“Well, you could always go to another room…”
Seomun Hye beamed at me.
“All other rooms are under construction too.”
“……!!”
That left me in a tricky spot to use my Contract Spirit Technique. I fidgeted anxiously until I finally positioned Seomun Hye and stated,
“I understand you have a significant fondness for me. But I’d prefer it if you’d leave me here alone.”
“Do you dislike me?”
“Certainly not.”
Seomun Hye clutched my sleeve tightly, sporting a sorrowful expression.
“Even if you have another woman, I’m okay with it. Yet I still want to hold onto you.”
“You don’t need to cling to me like that. You could find someone even better.”
“Why do you refuse so much?”
“Because…”
My thoughts drifted to Miho and Mangnyang. Memories of my past lives flashed before me. Suddenly, it struck me as ironic, making me chuckle. Normally, in a situation like this, one would have to wrestle with their desires, but here I was, haunted by the ghosts of my past deaths.
“… Because I have things to do.”
Precisely.
I could not afford to die fruitlessly anymore.
And to forge a better future with them, I had to stay on the right path.
Once I resolutely explained my stance, Seomun Hye said tearfully,
“Dear benefactor. If that’s truly the case, please take me with you to your Thunder God Lineage.”
“What?”
“Please, I beg you. I cannot live without you.”
“That makes no sense…”
In that moment, Seomun Hye drew a dagger from her sleeve, preparing to stab herself! I was shocked, swiftly snatching the dagger from her grasp. It was hard to dismiss since Seomun Hye was a top-tier master and mustered all her strength into that act; I couldn’t fathom it as an act.
“What on earth are you doing?!”
“I have no reason to live.”
“W-What…?”
Seomun Hye’s face was filled with sincerity. I pondered for a long time before finally sighing.
“… In that case, I’ll ask Seomun Daeryong tomorrow.”
Then I sent Seomun Hye back to another room.
The following day, after my morning spar with Seomun Daeryong, I explained the situation. Seomun Daeryong chuckled warmly as he said,
“That’s good. Whether you take that girl into the Thunder God Lineage or however you wish, I’ll support that.”
“Even if she doesn’t want to, if our sect doesn’t want her, she can be sent back.”
“Do as you see fit. It’s beyond my control.”
And so, unexpectedly, I ended up returning to the Thunder God Lineage with Seomun Hye in tow.
