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“This feels like Hell Training all over again!”

The next day marked the real start of something akin to Hell Training.

“This is exhausting…”

There I was, holding the Mabo posture on the Manjangan Cliff, letting out barely audible groans. Sure, holding the Mabo posture is physically annoying and tough, but after countless physical trials, it felt as natural to me as breathing. I could easily maintain it for seven weeks if my stamina were up to par.

The issue wasn’t the physical strain; it was the mental toll it was taking on me. Dokgo Seong watched me closely with a stern gaze.

“You once said you broke through to another realm with extreme physical training and achieved Sword Mastery,” he reminded me.

“Yeah.”

“The training method of that Bright Dragon was remarkable, but what you need now isn’t more rigorous physical training. You need to maintain an extreme state of calm and sharpen your will to control yourself.”

His words continued. “What’s so hard about physical training? No matter how grueling, you should surpass it within 30 years or so. What you truly need at your level is refined mental strength and control.”

“But…”

“But what?”

I protested weakly, “Changing a habit is incredibly hard.”

Exactly. Now, in the Mabo posture, I was struggling to forget the bad habits I had meticulously cultivated. Even though it wasn’t that physically draining, the constant mental strain made my head feel like it was about to explode.

Dokgo Seong asked, “What do you think a habit is?”

“A bad habit that I’ve gotten used to…?”

“Listen closely. In martial arts, a habit is the best form a person unconsciously chooses. Even a master can’t predict the habits that will develop in someone. Unless you deliberately train for a discipline, habits occur randomly.”

With fervor, he continued, “That’s why more physical training right now would only be toxic for you. You’d end up reverting to those old patterns. But you can’t control the unconscious, so physical training must be off the table.”

“……”

“The Mabo posture is merely a minimum safeguard to keep you from becoming too lazy. Focus solely on self-reflection.”

Self-reflection. What could that possibly mean?

“No martial arts training allowed.”

My face scrunched up in confusion as Dokgo Seong explained, “Don’t engage in physical training, and don’t even think of martial arts. Make your nothingness into your martial arts. That’s the training that suits you.”

It sounded deceptively easy, but it was far from it. I had only been in the Mabo stance for a single moment, yet martial arts thoughts kept creeping into my mind. No matter how hard I tried to clear my head, thoughts of basic sword techniques and martial arts principles would burst forth uncontrollably.

For about three moments, I struggled.

Then, in a sudden twist, Dokgo Seong unleashed a sword strike at me.

Swish!

The blade narrowly missed my neck. If it had come in a bit closer, I would have been half decapitated. As I squinted in surprise, Dokgo Seong shouted, “Did you just react?”

“If you attack me, I can’t help but respond unconsciously!”

“Kill that response and forget it! Suppress the very idea of countering using martial arts!”

“……!!”

“Stay tense. If you don’t listen to me, I’ll ramp up my own intensity in retaliation.”

Ramping up his intensity? I instinctively realized what that could mean and felt the hair on my neck stand up. If I failed to keep up, he might actually hurt me for real.

‘This is dangerous!’

Normally, you wouldn’t worry about training with a martial arts master. But the opponent before me was a former grandmaster from the Thunder God Lineage, a figure who had inherited their lineage’s overwhelming power. If he decided to go all out, training could very well lead to serious injury or even death.

I grit my teeth, feeling blood trickle down from the corner of my mouth, making me feel more awake. I focused my mind and tried to think of nothing at all.

‘There’s no such thing as absolute emptiness. The only way is to consciously reach a high level of tension and then release it all at once.’

A meditation master might be able to achieve a state of emptiness consciously. But even with my long meditation experience, I found it difficult to suppress my body’s instincts. So, I’d have to resort to some trick to reach that empty state.

Whoosh

Whoosh

The gust of wind from the sword brushed against my skin each time. I flinched slightly at the contact, and I could see veins popping on Dokgo Seong’s forehead. He aimed his sword at me, his voice dripping with foreboding.

“… Yeah. Just a finger or two would be fine…”

This was serious. I opened my eyes wide and exclaimed, “Hold on! This is an absurd training method!”

“Shut it. Are you questioning my training method?”

I shrieked, “If my sleeping genius is truly high, then I should be successful. But I’m really not that talented!”

“Huh? What are you saying?”

Dokgo Seong blinked in surprise as if hearing something absurd. He didn’t immediately get angry, which showed that he was caught off guard. I clenched my jaw and spoke fervently.

“I might have rapidly advanced in martial arts through special techniques, but in reality, I’m just mediocre. There’s no way around enlightenment, no matter how you push me. This training method is flawed!”

“No way.” Dokgo Seong shook his head in disbelief.

“I’ve barely seen anyone reach that level at your age. If you’re not a martial arts genius, then who is?”

“That’s not the case. I’m not a genius!”

“You little… Are you mocking me?”

Dokgo Seong’s eyes shimmered ominously, and suddenly there was a spark of thunder emanating from his sword. I realized that this wasn’t just any technique; it was a special level known as Sword Lightning.

‘The Sword Demon warned against facing Sword Lightning head-on.’

Though he hadn’t elaborated, it was clear that even for him, Sword Lightning possessed a terrifying level of attack power. Facing it would likely result in instant death or severe injury.

I calmly replied, “I’m not joking at all. I can explain, so if you could just cool your jets for a moment…”

“Fine. You better explain properly.”

Dokgo Seong didn’t need to add more words; it was clear he intended to either kill me or reduce me to a fool if I failed to clarify my point. Though he seemed a bit milder than Lee Kwang, he was no different in lineage. I swallowed hard and said, “I’ve been receiving comprehensive support from the Sword Demon Lord for nearly ten years. It’s an amount of guidance that far surpasses my background. He’s sacrificed his own training time to focus solely on teaching me, which is why I’ve been able to expand my realm, which should have been stagnant.”

“That can’t be enough to explain. You know countless martial arts as well.”

“That, too, is due to the Sword Demon Lord’s interpretations and teachings. I’ve merely been a passive recipient this whole time.”

“……”

At this point, Dokgo Seong opened his mouth in shock. He didn’t seem convinced; rather, he was filled with skepticism as he spat, “Are you telling me he raised you that passionately? If you gained the Supreme Master’s martial arts, wouldn’t just spending all day in closed room training be more than enough? That’s something unimaginable for a martial artist.”

I boldly met his gaze and defended, “It’s the truth. He helped me at great personal sacrifice, enabling me to reach a level beyond what I deserved.”

“Huh… So you mean I’ve been matched in talent with such a master?”

As I remained silent, Dokgo Seong stood in thought for quite some time. Then he said, “I don’t entirely believe you. But if you’re that frightened of enlightenment training, let’s seek out another method.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll have to take responsibility for what you said today.”

With those words, Dokgo Seong added, “For now, let’s call it a day and get some rest. We’ll devise a new plan tomorrow.”

I ended my Mabo posture and descended to a clearing near the cliff. I intertwined branches to make a makeshift roof and set up a space to escape the dew. After lighting a fire to create a warm environment, I drifted off to sleep by the campfire.

The next day, when I arrived at the training location, Dokgo Seong was already there, waiting for me. Sitting on the mountaintop, he stared at me intensely and said, “This isn’t working. We can’t proceed with training like this.”

“What do you mean…?”

“To control the myriad martial arts mixed within you and teach you the Thunder God Lineage’s Ascending Sword Arts, my superficial approach won’t cut it. We need advice from someone who’s been observing you closely up till now.”

Then he stated, “I need to meet the Sword Demon.”

This was unexpected news. For someone like Dokgo Seong, who had been honing his martial arts in solitude for over fifty years, to emerge into the world during this quest meant a significant shift in the martial strength landscape. I looked at him, astonished, and asked, “Are you sure about this? Didn’t you promise not to emerge until the Thunder God Lineage’s techniques were perfected, as well as with that Dharma Guardian of the Su Shin Sect?”

“The Thunder God Lineage’s sword techniques are already at a completed stage. Flawless mastery won’t come solely from practice; it needs something deeper. And as for the promises I made, they simply state that as long as I’m not returning to the main base, I can assist in the revival of the Thunder God Lineage.”

“Hmm.”

“Plus, I want to discuss things with someone at least on the Sword Demon’s level.”

At that moment, I finally understood Dokgo Seong’s mindset. He had already established his own understanding of the Thunder God Lineage’s sword techniques to the point of reaching a plateau, and now he was seeking external help. By discussing with the Sword Demon, he likely intended to turn the benefit of teaching me into his own training. I couldn’t help but admire his diligent passion.

‘He put down his bloodline to pursue the Thunder God Lineage, living his life dedicated to martial arts. And then, to forsake every ounce of life’s enjoyment to fully devote himself to martial arts…’

I felt my fondness for Dokgo Seong growing in my heart. I nodded in agreement and replied, “Then please join me. The Sword Demon Lord will be pleased as well.”

“Good.”

Suddenly, the secret command of the Sword Demon flashed through my mind.

[Come back in a month.]

The Sword Demon had deliberately sent me out to expose vulnerabilities, keeping an eye on Zhuge Sa’s movements. Therefore, rushing back at breakneck speed through the storm would provide no benefit. As I had just begun training, I still needed to find a way to bide my time elsewhere for at least ten to fifteen more days.

‘Hmm… Where to kill time?’

Fortunately, Dokgo Seong was completely unaware that the Shadowless Gate was located in Goryeo. He only knew we had come from somewhere in the Central Plains.

‘Even if it’s in Sichuan, if Dokgo Seong puts his mind to it and utilizes his Light Body Technique, he could easily reach Goryeo within ten days. I’ll have to craft a different narrative.’

After a moment’s thinking, I proposed to Dokgo Seong, “I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I received a secret command from the Sword Demon Lord to visit Dongyoung. If possible, could you assist me with this?”

“Hmm, Dongyoung?”

Dokgo Seong seemed hesitant and asked, “Why are you going to a place where those barbarian tribes live? Be clear about your business.”

“Actually, I received information that a person known as Cheongwol—one of the Thunderbolt Three Saints—is in hiding in a forest in Dongyoung. I need to confirm the authenticity of this information.”

His expression turned shocked. “Cheongwol! He’s in Dongyoung? Why?”

“I believe he’s seeking a special martial art called the Lunar Kill Technique.”

“What?! “

His face took on a grave appearance. He looked deep in thought before asking, “How do you know this?”

“The Shadowless Gate relies on the Thirteen Regulations, so I’ve heard news from Dongyoung through that.”

“If that’s certain… then we must go to Dongyoung. Do you know the exact location?”

“I heard it’s a place called Aokigahara Life Sea.”

“Let’s go!”

Dokgo Seong clenched his fist triumphantly. “Cheongwol was the most diligent and earnest among the Thunder God Lineage. If he ventured into barbarian territory for that cursed technique, we cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to find him.”

 

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