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“The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, huh. Sounds fancy!”

Starting the next day, I kicked off the training in the Soul Removal Technique with the Dongyoung Sword Masters. But hold up—before we dove in, I had to make sure they knew the basics of the Thunder God Lineage’s footwork, the Thunder Shadow Step.

Surprisingly, they all chimed in together.

“Of course, we know it!”

“The footwork is the foundation of martial arts!”

“Hmm.” I thought, “I should probably double-check this.” So, I called each of them to demonstrate their swordplay one-on-one.

Turns out, they all had a grasp of some decent footwork skills and were keeping their internal power neatly stored away. I felt a mix of amazement and confusion.

‘They don’t seem to follow a specific internal energy cultivation technique. How on earth did they gain their internal power?’

While I was pondering this, Kamizumi Nobutsuna, who was revered as a Sword Saint among the Dongyoung Sword Masters, approached me.

“Lord Baek Woong, if it’s not too much trouble, may we have a word?”

We moved to a more private space to talk.

Nobutsuna looked like a middle-aged man, perhaps in his fifties or sixties, but radiated a potent energy compared to the others. His refined aura was sharp enough to tell me he wasn’t just some ordinary expert; he was probably the strongest sword master in all of Dongyoung.

Nobutsuna continued, “I know your skills, Lord Baek Woong, are renowned among everyone here. Even I wouldn’t dare challenge you. However, it seems you might not be fully aware of Dongyoung’s martial arts, and I might be able to offer some insights.”

“Hmm, that’s true. It doesn’t look like you guys really practice a specific internal energy cultivation technique. So how does your martial arts even work?”

He chuckled lightly and replied, “When I was younger, I was curious about other countries’ martial arts, much like you are now. I traveled to Goryeo and the Ming Dynasty to train. Based on those experiences, I can share some differences.”

“Differences, you say?”

“The concept of Dao and Buddhism doesn’t really exist in our martial arts here.”

As I stared at him intently, he elaborated, “The essence of training lies in the principles like refining essence into energy, transmuting energy into spirit, returning spirit to the void, and merging this void with the Dao—none of which are part of Dongyoung’s sword training. Here, we focus strictly on the merging and the execution.”

“Hmm… that’s fascinating.” I realized Nobutsuna’s words were deeply insightful, coming from years of martial experience.

“So, what you’re saying is that your swordsmanship develops only through real combat and breathing exercises, right? Internal power is merely something you acquire along the way, fully entrusting everything to heart, qi, blood, and essence?”

“Exactly.”

“That sounds incredibly risky. Plus, it must become routine as you progress.” I pointed out the flaws in Dongyoung’s sword techniques, and he responded with a slight frown.

“I think so too. While Dongyoung’s swift sword techniques can easily take on even the strongest in the Central Plains, reaching the absolute level of techniques like Strong Qi or Unbeatable Sword is a formidable challenge. This is also why the Dongyoung martial artists are reluctant to spar with those from the Twelve Joules.”

“I see… that makes sense.”

“Martial families, including mine, pass down systematic internal techniques, yet many don’t. Some have honed their skills entirely through practice; so please consider that when you teach them.”

“Got it.” I nodded, fully recognizing Nobutsuna as the strongest swordsman among those gathered. His calm demeanor instead revealed a deep understanding of the essence of martial arts. He sure deserved the title of Sword Saint.

His advice proved invaluable, and I decided to start teaching them the Thunder Shadow Step, beginning with the basic concept of Natural Spirit Energy.

They were a bunch who only thought about cutting in practical terms, so if I didn’t explain properly, they wouldn’t grasp the subtleties of the Thunder Shadow Step.

After two days, by the third day, I began teaching them the forms of the Thunder Shadow Step. While I debated whether to teach them the Heavenly Gathering Kill, I planned to first focus on imparting footwork techniques.

‘These sword masters are incredible! They learn at lightning speed!’

By the eighth day of training, over half of them had grasped the forms and were even applying them. It made sense since they were exceptionally talented martial artists and had honed their skills through extensive real combat and hard work. There’s no way they’d struggle with learning just one technique like the Thunder Shadow Step.

Some of them approached me, curious.

“Do Ming Dynasty masters always use such footwork in their fights?”

“Not necessarily. My school’s technique is quite distinctive. However, many sects do possess peak internal techniques.”

“Oh wow…”

It became clear that these guys were used to the swift kills achieved through close-range engagements and had limited awareness of the flashy battles found in peak internal power techniques. In just another ten days, I decided they had firmly grasped the Thunder Shadow Step.

“From today onward, we’ll assess your skills through one-on-one duels. That way, I’ll know who’s worthy of learning the secret techniques.”

The sword masters suddenly sharpened their gazes, their competitive spirits igniting. They had learned enough from me to have a rough idea about my capabilities. Given their nature as combat-oriented martial artists, it was only natural for them to feel a surge of rivalry.

At that moment, Nobutsuna interjected.

“Lord Baek Woong, I’d like to propose something.”

“What is it?”

“When experts spar, the risk of serious injuries or death is too high. How about using these blades?”

He presented a bamboo sword. It looked like a bamboo stick split into quarters and then further sliced, all wrapped in a leather casing. Everyone stared at the peculiar weapon as Nobutsuna smiled and said, “I personally call this the Fukuroshinai.”

“A bamboo sword, huh.”

This could definitely cut down the chances of injury or death. I nodded, but suddenly, one of the sword masters shouted in annoyance.

“We should fight with real swords! What kind of cheap trick is this? You’re wasting the name of Sword Saint!”

“Yeah! What nonsense is this?!”

Surprisingly, a majority of the sword masters disapproved of using the bamboo swords. Nobutsuna merely chuckled and replied to the most vocal critic.

“Then how about you come at me with your precious real sword?”

“You think I can’t?!”

Swish!

In a flash, one sword master darted forward and drew his blade. His speed rivaled those of the peak experts I had seen, showcasing the impressive level of Dongyoung’s swift sword arts.

There was no way I could let a strike like that through without at least dodging or blocking it.

But Nobutsuna seemed to move as if time had stopped, smoothly seizing the opportunity and penetrating the master’s defenses, disarming him in one swift motion.

“……!!”

Real amazing skill!

As the master’s face paled, Nobutsuna remarked, “Well, that was close. If it had been a real sword, we could have had a serious accident, don’t you think?”

“Ugh…”

The master hastily retrieved the sword, letting out a deep sigh.

“So that’s the Blade-less Technique of Shin Kage Ryu… I have no excuses.”

“I wasn’t trying to show off,” Nobutsuna replied, scanning the room with those deep-set eyes.

“But these times of war are over, and the sword masters gathered here are valuable talents who will carry the swordsmanship forward. We shouldn’t let anything unfortunate happen in a precious event organized by Lord Baek Woong.”

“I see… that makes sense.”

Gradually, the sword masters set aside their pride and began picking up the provided bamboo swords one by one. Watching the scene, I realized something impactful.

‘Nobutsuna’s skill is clearly above mine. For a place like Dongyoung to produce such a sword master…!!’

I took stock of my previous assumptions but realized the truth. Relying on mere practical skills while neglecting the theories of martial arts is far too primitive. While Dongyoung’s swift techniques might shine up to the level of a peak expert, anything above that would likely see them crumble.

The methods in dealing with qi were way too rough.

But Nobutsuna was on a completely different level from the other sword masters present. Especially compared to the recently witnessed Blade-less Technique, which incorporated both defensive and offensive maneuvers into a profound art.

Whoosh!

“Kuh!”

“Ugh.”

Matching up against groups of sword masters one after another, I easily took them down within fifty moves. Using bamboo swords kept me from injuring them; otherwise, I could have faced some serious consequences. After conquering nine rounds, I finally stood across from Nobutsuna, both of us wielding bamboo swords.

“……”

Stuck in a standoff, I pondered for a long time before eventually saying, “This isn’t going to work. I can’t find any openings.”

“Heh… Seems like you have a lot of potential left, eh?”

“But I have no assurance that I can break through your Blade-less technique.”

If I could stimulate my strength with Thunderclap and the White Woong’s Formation, I might stand a chance. But showing off my Thunderclap in front of a master like Nobutsuna would surely lead to him discovering my secrets or any weaknesses. Plus, it was unnecessary to exert myself in a practice duel meant to assess my capabilities for teaching the Thunder Shadow Step and Soul Removal Technique.

Nobutsuna chuckled softly and said, “I guess you’re quite disappointed with Dongyoung’s martial arts, Lord Baek Woong.”

“Not at all, especially not with a master like you around.”

“Hahaha… Of course, Dongyoung’s martial arts might seem to lag behind the prestigious techniques of the continent. However, there are three martial arts here that you definitely shouldn’t overlook.”

“Three, you say?” I was instantly intrigued.

“First… my Shin Kage Ryu.”

“I can accept that.”

“Second, it’s Miyamoto Musashi’s Two Heavens One Style.”

“That name rings a bell. I think I heard it from the Twelve Joules.”

As far as I knew, he was a genius practitioner in the dual-style method and currently the strongest in Dongyoung. If he was indeed stronger than Nobutsuna, it made sense.

As I replied, Nobutsuna smirked.

“He’s truly a born genius, I can see Twelve Joules understanding that too.”

“And what’s the final martial art?”

Nobutsuna’s expression grew serious as he replied, “The Lunar Kill Technique.”

“The Lunar Kill Technique…?”

“It’s an ultimate swift-blade skill that only the blind can fully master. No one knows who the successor is, but legends say that if a master of the Lunar Kill Technique appears, the world will be drenched in blood.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“There are plenty of such legends in the Central Plains. And the old never beats the new, after all. They always end up being crushed pathetically.”

That was often the case.

It was not uncommon for ancient martial arts or hidden techniques to show up in the Jianghu, twisting things around. Each time, the public got nervous, yet the truth was that the skill itself mattered much less than the strength of the one wielding it. Ultimately, those masters either seized the title of an overlord or founded a well-respected family, living comfortably, or they got too cocky and were killed by genuine masters. It was always one or the other.

Only one person ever lived up to the hype and disrupted the Jianghu: the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

Nobutsuna shook his head. “The Lunar Kill Technique is a swift-blade skill that even the Master of the White Lotus Sect referred to as ‘dangerous’! It’s not something to take lightly.”

“……!!”

Was it possible that the Master of the White Lotus Sect evaluated it that way?

Shocked, I gazed at Nobutsuna, who sighed.

“When I visited the Ming Dynasty, I sought to meet with the Master of the White Lotus Sect, who was reputedly close to reaching the limits of martial arts. I went to the White Lotus Sect and even arranged a private meeting to discuss martial arts. But during our talk, the Master said to me:

[If you wish to grow strong as a Dongyoung citizen, you must master the Lunar Kill Technique. It is the most perilous martial art in the world.]”

Of course, I ignored that when I returned to Dongyoung and practiced the Blade-less Technique. I believed that winning without drawing my sword represented the ultimate in swordplay. I still hold that belief, but nonetheless, the Lunar Kill Technique is indeed a very deadly swift-blade skill.

“……”

I was left speechless.

Could this man have really met the Master of the White Lotus Sect during his martial travels to the Ming Dynasty? Setting aside the possibility of the Lunar Kill Technique, I was more taken aback by the sheer fact of that encounter. I hastily posed my question.

“Y-You met the Master of the White Lotus Sect? What do they look like?”

“I didn’t see his face or attire. He spoke from behind me. Interestingly, he communicated solely through the Six Harmonies Assembly, never using his voice.”

“Hmm…”

Communicating without using his voice suggested that the Master of the White Lotus Sect had a significant reason or circumstance for not vocalizing.

I noted this information seriously and said, “Thank you. So, does anyone know who’s practicing the Lunar Kill Technique?”

“I have no clue. I’ve searched for decades without ever finding a trace. Actually, no one knows whether the Lunar Kill Technique even exists other than me. It’s a true phantom art.”

“Hmm…”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect wouldn’t just lie to make a fool out of a Dongyoung warrior. There’s bound to be pride as the world’s best martial artist. While nobody in Dongyoung was aware of it, the Master of the White Lotus Sect might well know of this phantom supreme technique’s existence.

‘I need to ask other experts from the Central Plains about the Lunar Kill Technique.’

I sensed another purpose had emerged in my future schedule.

With that, I concluded my thoughts and addressed the sword masters.

“Aside from Kamizumi Nobutsuna, it seems none of you have yet grasped the nuances of the Divine Technique. I’ll mentor you a bit longer before I let you in on it.”

“Ugh…”

The sword masters seemed to feel humiliated. It was to be expected; they had all been beaten by a seemingly young boy in his teens while only Nobutsuna maintained some semblance of dignity. But after bypassing the threshold of genuine masters, they all began to look like children to me. I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.

‘If Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong were here, you’d all be dead within three seconds…’

Over the next month, I elaborated on the functions of the Thunder Shadow Step and how to incorporate footwork into swordplay. Occasionally, I sparred with Nobutsuna using the bamboo swords; he was indeed a top-notch expert; without unleashing my Thunderclap, I couldn’t break through his absolute defense.

After a month, I confirmed that the sword masters had developed the ability to endure my techniques for a hundred intervals. Only then did I feel content and announce, “Now, I will impart to you the Soul Removal Technique.”

My goal was to teach them the Soul Removal Technique within a year. After deciphering the requirements for mastering it, I would then seek to understand those conditions for my own improvement! Step by step, my martial arts advancement was gradually unfolding.

‘Uh… By the way, what about Tao King and Dongbang Mu-gyeol?’

While contemplating various matters, I performed the Golden Lamp Technique and returned to Sichuan’s capital. There, I visited Gyeongbang to gather updates on their circumstances.

“We haven’t yet located Tao King, and it seems Dongbang Mu-gyeol has vanished beyond the Southern Barbarians.”

“Beyond the Southern Barbarians?”

“Further tracking is impossible. He’s crossed into the frontier.”

In return, Master Zhu presented me a silver coin worth a hundred. It seemed to be a token for a half-failed effort. I handed the coin back and said, “It’s not finished yet. I’ll come back later, and in the meantime, continue to track Dongbang Mu-gyeol and Tao King’s movements.”

“What…?”

“If, based on that information, I succeed in achieving my goals, I’ll add another hundred silver coins to settle the score.”

“Understood.”

Then I returned to Dongyoung, where Miho was leisurely lounging back, munching on grapes and giggling.

“You seem awfully busy without a break!”

“Aren’t you going to help out a bit?”

Miho leaped up, bouncing around. “Stay strong! Stay strong! Work harder than ever!”

“……”

Are you giving the same support as Master Mangnyang?

It took me roughly eight months to impart the Thunder Shadow Step fully. They all seemed to possess remarkable talents, so mastering the depths of Thunder Shadow Step came rather naturally. Finally, I was ready to teach them the essence of the Soul Removal Technique, enthusiastically revealing its core principles.

“You should analyze it individually.”

This time, I opted not to demonstrate. I just knew it would end up as a comical fiasco if I did.

The sword masters seemed to increasingly feel their skills improving, now adhering to my orders without question. I became curious about how they would each interpret the Soul Removal Technique and settled down, waiting in anticipation.

The outcomes began rolling in about a month later.

The first to seek me out was, of course, Kamizumi Nobutsuna, bursting in as he said, “This is a truly bizarre technique.”

“You’ve grasped it?”

“Well… I’ve come up with a hypothesis, but I should probably hear the others as well.”

One by one, sword masters began to arrive.

Before long, a discussion broke out among them regarding their thoughts and insights about the Soul Removal Technique. Most were saying things like, “There’s no way to learn this!” or “This is no genuine martial art.” However, one individual raised his voice, suggesting, “This seems to relate to the heart and mind.”

“That makes sense.”

“Nobutsuna, did something come to mind for you…?”

He sighed briefly before addressing the speaker. “Yagyu Munenori. Show me your Soul Removal Technique.”

Swoosh!

Wham!

“……!!”

I was stunned.

The sword master named Yagyu Munenori suddenly succeeded in performing the Soul Removal Technique! I could hardly believe it was happening since I had tried so hard without success. Seeing this, the other sword masters reacted just as astonished as I was, prompting Nobutsuna to say, “As expected, it fits.”

“What do you mean?”

Nobutsuna turned those sharp eyes toward me, “Munenori. Your son, Yagyu Jubei, will probably handle it even better.”

“I guess so.” Munenori replied with a bittersweet smile.

Nobutsuna faced me, saying, “We have drawn our conclusion, Lord Baek Woong. We’ve figured out what kind of martial art the Soul Removal Technique is.”

 

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