Celestial Realm
In an instant, I stood face-to-face with Jin So-cheong, our minds colliding as we explored each other’s True Realm. I found it surprisingly unexpected that Jin So-cheong’s Qi was less potent than I anticipated, while he seemed to be judging me in his own way. One thing was clear: confronting someone who had truly reached the pinnacle of martial arts was vastly different from reading the energy of ordinary martial artists.
The sound of a taut string snapping.
‘Here I come.’
A single flash of light!
The first strike was, of course, my most confident technique, the Qugong Slash. If I were meeting Jin So-cheong for the first time, I would have tested various attacks, but he was clearly not a mere opponent. Furthermore, there was no reason to hold back the strongest strike I had.
“……!!”
At first, Jin So-cheong attempted to counter with a stance but quickly realized the finesse of my Qugong Slash and withdrew his spear, retreating hastily. That was the correct decision; had he forced his way in with the Lan Nache, he would have been split in half. I did not watch Jin So-cheong retreat, jumping straight in with my Myeonghon Blow.
Kaaang!
A loud clash erupted as our weapons collided. Jin So-cheong seemed somewhat pained by my powerful strike. And understandably so; I was pouring all my energy into the attack right from the start. Deflecting an assault concentrated with my entire inner strength was no easy feat, even for someone like Jin So-cheong.
“Keuk!!”
Jin So-cheong retreated, employing the Thunder Shadow Step and preparing to unleash the Thundercloud Infinite Spear technique to gather his strength. I followed up with a fierce strike, but suddenly, an overwhelming energy grazed over my shoulder.
‘What was that just now?’
Two waves of energy brushed past, narrowly missing me. It was likely a secret technique of the Thundercloud Infinite Spear or a unique maneuver of Jin So-cheong’s own. However, it seemed that my power had pressured him into reduced accuracy.
Bboom!
The energy erupted once more. Unlike Musashi, who attempted to counter my powerful strikes with every ability, Jin So-cheong gracefully began using his spear technique to receive my attacks. Even while grappling with him, I couldn’t help but admire his spear technique.
‘A perfect manifestation of transformation!’
He skillfully channeled strong power into the ground at the right moments! Jin So-cheong’s technique seemed to surpass ordinary levels, utilizing the essence of martial arts. There was not a hint of wasted movement, and he expertly concealed his weaknesses, allowing him to deflect my attacks that were several times stronger in sheer force.
At this moment, I was dominating the situation. I was confident that I was at least equal to, if not superior to, Jin So-cheong in skill, yet my heart felt heavy.
Had he already comprehended the ultimate essence of the Thunder God Lineage at his young age?
In all my life, I’d never seen any martial artist reach such a level at his age. I couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet sting as I pressed onward.
Why him of all people?
Of all the geniuses I could meet, why did it have to be Jin So-cheong, who was the best talent in the Central Plains?
‘This is how I shatter that!’
Yet, despite such thoughts, my body moved faster than ever, executing the secret technique Thousand Kills Slash. In an instant, a thousand strikes surged from my blade, scattering and disrupting Jin So-cheong’s transformation.
“!”
In that moment, it felt like a spark lit up in Jin So-cheong’s eyes. It was as if he had seized an opportune moment, shifting from defense to offense. His reaction did not seem to mind the fact that the Thousand Kills Slash unleashed a thousand strikes.
‘What? He’s coming in from here?’
I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Realistically, if he could penetrate the gaps of the Thousand Kills Slash, he could deliver a deadly blow to me. However, I had developed a manner of using my Thousand Kills Slash that was embedded with my essence, making it virtually impossible for anyone to pass through this rigorous sword curtain—like trying to thread a needle through a tiny hole.
One moment. Jin So-cheong used his strength to destabilize my sword circle.
Another moment. Jin So-cheong mixed his techniques to enhance his rotation.
After three moments, Jin So-cheong performed a combination of spear techniques I had never witnessed before.
Ka-pow!
I was dumbfounded to find my offensive efforts dismantled in just three moments, returning the battle to the starting point. I had no idea what he did, but he succeeded in breaking through my Thousand Kills Slash in a flash.
“Huff! Huff! Hah…”
Jin So-cheong took deep breaths, showing signs of significant stamina and Qi exhaustion from that single move. Then, wiping the sweat from his brow, he grinned.
“Wow, you’re really strong! It’s the first time I’ve seen a Thunder God Lineage master as powerful as you since my sifu!”
I knew it.
At that moment, I was certain I was a level above Jin So-cheong.
If I fought him like this, I could certainly defeat him within five hundred moves.
Yet, at the same time, I found myself clenching my fists from the overwhelming feeling of defeat.
The martial arts ‘foundation’ I held was altogether different!
From the three seconds of his technique, I could feel the scope of Jin So-cheong’s visionary perspective on spear techniques was unimaginably vast. No, one could say Jin So-cheong opened my eyes to a whole new world of martial arts. Even if I emerged victorious relying solely on the strength of my martial prowess, I could not fully relish that victory.
I asked Jin So-cheong,
“What was that technique you just used for those three moments? Did you learn it from Lee Kwang?”
Jin So-cheong blinked slowly before responding,
“I don’t really know.”
“Don’t know?”
“While it’s true I learned Lan Nache from my master, the combination I just used was something I came up with on the spot. Pure coincidence.”
“……!!”
Wait, so that wasn’t even a secret technique of the Thundercloud Infinite Spear? It was merely a basic spear technique—Lan Nache?!
Are you saying that could all be accomplished with a combination of basic techniques?!
I was utterly speechless. Just then, Jin So-cheong said,
“Are you not going to continue?”
“It seems your master has arrived.”
Below the sparring arena, Lee Kwang was there. At some point, he must have been watching our duel. Once our gazes met Lee Kwang, he leapt onto the sparring stage and said to me,
“So, you’re a successor of the Thunder God Lineage? I’m impressed by your outstanding skill.”
Seeing Lee Kwang’s face raised my ire, but I kept my composure and replied,
“Are you the renowned Lee Kwang?”
“Indeed. And who are you?”
With a touch of self-deprecation, I said,
“What would it matter for you to know who I am?”
“If you don’t reveal your identity, you won’t be leaving here in one piece.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course!”
I thought for a moment, then pointed my sword at him. Lee Kwang’s eyebrows twitched, and I provocatively said,
“Go ahead and try to stop me if you think you can. I’ll come at you however I please.”
“You’re rather arrogant. Do you think I’ll take it lightly just because you’ve gained the upper hand against my disciple?”
“Not at all. I merely thought you wouldn’t hesitate to team up against me.”
Lee Kwang’s expression darkened. Though he managed to keep his face neutral, his demeanor grew icy, as if a frost had settled around him. Soon after, he used his mystical power to pull a spear from among the weapons surrounding the sparring arena and said,
“I won’t team up. Come at me.”
“……”
Why am I doing this?
Why am I picking a fight with Lee Kwang in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School?
Honestly, even if I wanted to settle the score with him, now was not the right time. While I had plenty of grievances, this was not the moment to lash out. Yet, I couldn’t trace the source of the intense emotions boiling within me.
But then, I finally recognized the reason and let out a wry chuckle.
“Haha…”
It wasn’t merely a simple desire to reap the rewards of my hellish training. My resentment against Lee Kwang was no longer significant. The true source pushing me into action was my confrontation with the limitations of my swordsmanship. Words couldn’t express it clearly, but I felt that if I didn’t face off against a great master while confronting this feeling, my grasp of it would fade away.
In that case, stoking the fire of anger in my opponent was not the right choice. I inwardly acknowledged that my behavior was somewhat petty and bowed my head once more to Lee Kwang.
“I apologize.”
“……?”
“I was hasty just now. I won’t use any more out of turn techniques, so let’s properly see what we can do.”
Lee Kwang’s expression softened. As a transcendent master, he picked up on my emotional shift in an instant and probably guessed its cause. He said with a calm face,
“You’re facing a formidable wall!”
“Exactly as you say.”
“Thunder God Lineage swordsmen are rare. I doubt there’s anyone capable of becoming your master.”
With that, Lee Kwang continued,
“Shall we see how it goes?”
Fwaah!
We both launched ourselves into the center of the sparring arena, colliding with one another. As I exchanged the first move with Lee Kwang, I realized something.
‘It’s not like before!’
Unlike the overwhelming pressure I felt in our last sparring match, now, there was no intimidating aura emanating from Lee Kwang. He was surely a powerful transcendent master, but there was no horrifying fighting spirit like last time. I pondered briefly before it struck me.
Lee Kwang had also grown over these past eight years!
In that light, the current Lee Kwang was still a contender I could face. It seemed that my goals became crystal-clear before me, and greed began to blind me. If I pushed on a little more in the fight, I might just surpass Lee Kwang.
Kacang!
In an instant, we clashed again, and after several exchanges, over a hundred moves had passed. Lee Kwang clearly exhibited higher average skill and inner strength than Jin So-cheong, and the sharpness of his attacks was on a different level. Furthermore, my powerful strikes that had given Jin So-cheong a rough time seemed to flow easily around him because of his experience.
I contemplated as I withdrew my Qugong Slash. Each of Lee Kwang’s spear strikes felt heavy, but the intensity of pressure was not that strong.
Was it a challenge I could tackle?
Sure, the match would likely come down to the thinnest of margins, but at least Lee Kwang was not someone who could claim that I couldn’t win against him. Perhaps he realized this as he steadily began to pour more energy into the sparring.
Secret Technique
Thunder God Annihilation
Lee Kwang unleashed the technique known as Thunder God Annihilation, which had sent countless nightmares through his opponents. Even though I was well aware of its power from our previous encounters, I braced myself, gritting my teeth. To meet this surprise attack, I heightened my reflexes to their utmost levels. Additionally, I unleashed the gathered energy from the Eight Gates while operating the Baek Woong’s Will and the Way of the Splitting Heart at the same time.
Squee!
As I countered with my Qugong Slash as before, Lee Kwang appeared surprised. He quickly evaded with the Thunder Shadow Step to regain his stance.
‘Huh?’
That was strange. Was Lee Kwang not counter-attacking with thirty-two spear strikes in response like last time? His reaction was in startling contrast. Lee Kwang sighed and said,
“I never expected there to be a young master like you.”
“……”
I see.
Along with the exhilaration of victory came a twinge of disillusionment, and I slightly lowered my sword technique. Then I asked,
“Lee Kwang, did you know that General Hwang Yeon had been imprisoned in Great Prison?”
“What?!”
I pulled Hwang Yeon from my pocket dimension. He appeared bewildered at suddenly finding himself in such a strange place but soon spotted Lee Kwang and said,
“Is this the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School?”
“General!!”
Lee Kwang gasped as he bowed to him.
“What happened here?”
“That young man saved me.”
While they were still in shock, I continued to pull out prisoners from Great Prison. As the individuals poured out, Lee Kwang’s face grew paler, and even Jin So-cheong, who watched from nearby, looked equally astonished. Once I finished releasing the prisoners, I turned to Lee Kwang and said,
“Lee Kwang, I want to entrust you with General Hwang Yeon.”
“Just who are you?”
At that, Hwang Yeon, who had been listening, seemed shocked.
“Wait? He’s not your disciple?”
“Disciple? Not at all.”
Lee Kwang shook his head.
“I only have Jin So-cheong as my disciple. Let alone a master-level figure like him…”
“……?”
As all eyes turned to me, I silently stared at Lee Kwang. Finally, I sent him a message.
[Lee Kwang, as the successor of the Thunder God Lineage, would you like to rejuvenate your faction?]
[Of course.]
[In that case, would you accept Dokgo Seong?]
Gulp!
Lee Kwang couldn’t conceal his surprise.
[Do you know his whereabouts?]
[Just answer my question first.]
[Certainly. While he turned his back on the faction to live as he pleased, he is undoubtedly still a respected figure.]
It appeared that at this point, Lee Kwang didn’t harbor any deep animosity towards Dokgo Seong. His reaction was different from before, so I could roughly guess why.
‘Time has softened those grudges.’
Since things had come to this, I decided to extract even more benefits for myself.
[I will guide you to Dokgo Seong’s location. In return, you will share with me about any master swordsmen you know.]
[Excluding Dokgo Seong himself?]
[Yes.]
Lee Kwang pondered for a moment before replying,
“First, why don’t we go in and talk?”
“Understood.”
Soon after, Jin So-cheong guided the prisoners to the vacant lodgings of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, while I entered the Waryong Hall together with Lee Kwang and Hwang Yeon. Once seated at the table in the hall, Lee Kwang looked at me sharply and asked,
“Why did you lie to the general?”
“To reassure him.”
I answered casually, then turned to Hwang Yeon,
“I apologize for the deception.”
Hwang Yeon waved his hand dismissively.
“No need. There must have been circumstances.”
Regardless, Bai Woong, it seems you are indeed a master of the Thunder God Lineage. What drove you to step into Great Prison to save me?”
“I cannot disclose that.”
Hwang Yeon clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“You’re quite the mysterious friend.”
I knew it was nearly impossible to gain Lee Kwang’s trust, so I resolved to pursue a strict transactional relationship with him.
“Lee Kwang, I have a question I’d like you to answer.”
“If there’s indeed a swordmaster comparable to Dokgo Seong, I only know of one.”
“Who is that?”
“Han Baek-ryeong!”
“……”
“She is now known as the head of the Han Clan among the Twin Gate Sect in Luoyang.”
I asked once more out of curiosity,
“Is there anyone else?”
“Nobody. No matter how vast the world is, she is the only one comparable to Dokgo Seong.”
“Really no one else?”
As I pressed for more details, Lee Kwang’s expression grew tense.
“There may be one or two among the elders directly under the Heavenly Lotus Church, otherwise, perhaps an immortal swordmaster.”
“……!!”
I quickly realized that Lee Kwang’s words were indeed accurate. I then replied,
“Thank you. That was quite useful advice.”
“Don’t tell me you intend to seek out Han Baek-ryeong to discuss the walls of your swordsmanship?”
“I wouldn’t rule that out.”
Lee Kwang seemed to ponder my words before finally saying,
“She’s a protector of the Fire God Lineage. I’d recommend against seeking her out.”
“I’m already aware.”
Brought back to a state of disbelief, Lee Kwang gazed at me incredulously.
“You’re aware yet still intend to visit her?”
I let out a soft laugh and responded,
“Are you genuinely concerned about me?”
“Impudent brat.”
Lee Kwang, perhaps irked, turned his head away abruptly. I then stood from my seat and stated to both Lee Kwang and Hwang Yeon,
“I will soon uncover Dokgo Seong’s whereabouts.”
“Wait a moment…”
I ignored their attempts to stop me and slipped away with the Myeonghon Blow. Staying longer would only complicate matters.
Paaah!
Finding a suitable location, I used Golden Ascension to make my way towards Luoyang.
‘He was right.’
Though it happened by chance that I ended up sparring with Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong, I didn’t think it would lead to a significant conflict. Rather, I felt I had gained valuable clues from Lee Kwang. Now, if Dokgo Seong couldn’t provide me with satisfactory answers, I would need to seek a swordmaster of equal caliber—in the worldly realm, that only meant an immortal protector of the Fire God Lineage. Failing that, there remained a last resort.
After walking for a while in the streets of Luoyang, I stood in front of the Han Clan. Taking a deep breath, I steeled my resolve.
I would soon meet Han Baek-ryeong, the protector of the Fire God Lineage.
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