932——————==

True Martial Home

I stood face to face with Huang Wu, the first one to use the Soul Exchange Technique. Then I turned to Dharma.

“Dharma, who among your five disciples do you cherish the most?”

[That’s a foolish question… I cherish them all.]

“I’m confident that using this method will uncover the identity of the Divine Thief. However, your disciples could face great danger…”

I trailed off. It was not a method I could rashly employ without the other’s consent. Then Dharma replied.

[Then we need to have a chat.]

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, I teleported with Dharma to an isolated spot. It seemed Dharma was eager to hear my explanation, so I reluctantly shared details about the [final method] I was about to use.

“I’m thinking of removing the mask.”

[A mask…?]

I nodded and said, “I learned various techniques from the Divine Thief… and that’s one of them.”

[You learned techniques? Are you saying you’re a disciple of the Divine Thief?]

“That’s a bit different.”

Last time, I had been overly cautious around Dharma and hadn’t explained much about the Divine Thief, so I decided to clarify everything this time. I detailed how I encountered the Divine Thief and what kind of training I underwent in the Seat. After listening to my story, Dharma seemed to grasp the situation.

[So, the second stage of the Technique of All Things, removing the mask, means turning your opponent into an abyss and wearing it yourself…]

“Exactly.”

[Do you realize that this implies something else? The reason your Soul Exchange Technique isn’t working is…]

I could see Dharma was quick-witted. I answered him readily.

“Yes. It’s highly likely the Divine Thief has turned one of your disciples into a mask and is wearing it. That’s why the Soul Exchange Technique, which even forces a person to reveal their secrets, isn’t working.”

[……]

“However… even I don’t know the side effects of using the second stage of the Technique of All Things.”

It seemed I had already found a way to uncover the Divine Thief’s identity.

Yet, there was a reason I couldn’t use it easily—there were side effects to consider.

[The mask of the abyss has ‘eyes.’ If you can awaken those eyes, you may take it as your own.]

[This spell allows you to gaze upon your opponent’s mask and awaken its eyes. As the spell grows more proficient, you’ll visualize the mask hidden behind your opponent and witness the moment those eyes awaken.]

[That means your opponent’s abyss will have opened its eyes. In that state, you must swiftly steal the mask.]

[… I should call you a genius. A colossal disaster will unfold.]

[Eyes that have opened will distort reality. It is never a good thing. Let me warn you, if the eyes open once, either close them again or steal the mask quickly. Keeping the mask’s eyes opened for too long is a no-go.]

[You or your opponent will definitely confront destruction.]

[Are you saying it’s a big deal? What kind of big deal?]

[… That’s something I can’t discuss. It’s a very painful memory for the main body.]

The avatar of the Divine Thief sitting in the Seat was very reluctant to explain the details and side effects while teaching me the second stage of the Technique of All Things. One thing was clear: the main body of the Divine Thief had been heavily scarred by the “side effects” of mistakenly using the second stage. It was undoubtedly a perilous technique and power.

Could it be okay to use something like that on a person so rashly?

After quietly listening to my story, Dharma said.

[There’s another issue. Asking for my advice in advance is a good attitude.]

“Huh?”

[Whether you notice it or not, according to what you’ve said, you have a significant advantage.]

“Advantage, you say?”

[The Divine Thief is unaware that you’ve acquired the Technique of All Things. That’s a monumental advantage.]

“……!!”

I opened my eyes wide at this unexpected revelation.

‘Oh, right!’

I hadn’t thought deeply about it, but it was indeed true. The avatar of the Divine Thief existed solely in the Seat, and thus had no connection to the main body’s memories. So even if the avatar had trained me, the main body of the Divine Thief didn’t know that at all!

Dharma continued.

[If you choose to wear the mask of one among the five, your probability of guessing the Divine Thief’s main body is only 20%. It would be great if you could reveal it at once, but the chances are low. If your first choice fails, the Divine Thief sleeping within the persona will grow wary of your abilities. Moreover, he would probably attempt to escape this setting.]

“……”

[I have no confidence in capturing the Divine Thief myself. Before you mentioned it, I couldn’t even imagine such a person hiding around me. He’s certainly a being with powers far beyond that of a human.]

A 20% chance.

I couldn’t help but let out a murmur at Dharma’s words. If I couldn’t capture him at once, he would undoubtedly attempt to flee, and considering the Divine Thief’s capabilities, catching him while fleeing would be next to impossible. He had been a supreme master aiming for the peak since he had been in our world, reincarnating in this one for over 2,000 years and building up his power. If I triggered him carelessly, I would certainly be left watching as he just bolts.

Then Dharma said flatly.

[Therefore, the simplest solution to capture the Divine Thief in this situation is… to kill all five of my disciples.]

“……?!”

Huh?!

I was taken aback by Dharma’s sudden suggestion and gaped in shock. I had not expected such a statement at all. I ended up stammering.

“W-What do you mean? How could you…”

[If you slice the necks of the five like beams of light with your swordsmanship, the Divine Thief will have no choice but to reveal himself.]

“Uh, no…”

[I’ll also create a barrier to aid you. Then I will catch the Divine Thief when he’s wounded.]

“That’s not the issue! If that’s the case, we wouldn’t need to go through this hassle in the first place! Are you okay with killing your own disciples whom you trust?!”

Unable to hold back, I shouted, and Dharma replied.

[They are my longest-trained disciples… They have realized the futility of existence (生滅) and are not attached to life. They would willingly sacrifice themselves for a great cause.]

“……”

[Do not hastily expose your advantage of the Technique of All Things. It can give you a critical edge in facing the Divine Thief.]

With Dharma’s utterly cold words, I found myself at a loss for words.

I realized what Dharma’s mindset was.

‘He’s just like the Master of the White Lotus Sect…!!’

In his view, great martyrs and sacrifices are indispensable for a greater cause!

I felt as if the Master of the White Lotus Sect, Dokgo Uncheon, was standing right before me. If he were here now, he would have surely spoken just like Dharma.

From that perspective, it might be a reasonable stance. If one is to save the world, what do the lives of just five mere humans matter? For Dharma, who would be prepared to sacrifice 30,000 or even 1,000,000 for human sacrifice if needed, the lives of those five that had followed him for the longest time were of no consequence. Even if they were those who had trusted him the most, it wouldn’t change.

The thought of safeguarding the secret of my technique to gain an advantage for our side—sacrificing the lives of my disciples for what could be seen as a trivial gain.

The very thought that the Master of the White Lotus Sect, Dokgo Uncheon, sacrificed countless White Lotus members in Luoyang, ripping out their hearts, was haunting. I still remember his final words clearly.

[The Old Ruler was not satisfied with the humans of Luoyang… He demanded that I sacrifice my precious sect members… because he is an evil god… an existence that takes joy in tormenting mortals, for that sacrifice, I was ready…]

[I am a great sinner… a murderer… Yet, I do not completely feel remorse. Because I am human.]

He did not consider the White Lotus members as mere straw. He certainly bore the guilt and conscience that came with the massacre he committed. However, the grim reality was too overwhelming, so he decided to shoulder that evil himself. It was another form of madness.

Could it not be the same for Dharma standing right in front of me?

He, too, would not have an absence of remorse for killing his disciples.

Yet the madness labeled “great cause” alleviated his conscience and guilt.

“……”

No, I must not.

At the very least, I… should not align myself with their grand cause.

If I were to be entrapped by the perspective that sacrificing the small for the great is justified, I would be no different from them. I wanted to showcase that I could save everyone and still achieve ultimate victory.

I clenched my teeth and told Dharma.

“I won’t use that method. I’d rather leave it to fate.”

[Fate…? You’d leave it to that lowly 20% chance?]

“Yes. But I’ll adjust my approach.”

I explained my plan to Dharma. After hearing it, he said, as if incredulous.

[… Should I say you are incredibly pure… Are you truly someone like me? How can someone who has amassed this level of power remain so innocent?]

“……”

[Do you really think such straightforwardness would work against a thousand-year-old seasoned thief? He is an intelligent being, far superior to even demonic forces. You’d merely become his plaything.]

“That’s fine by me. If I fail, I’ll take responsibility.”

[What do you mean by that?]

I muttered with a fierce gaze.

“If a so-called number one thief is only looking to satiate his own greed, then by any means, I shall eliminate him!”

[……]

Dharma nodded.

[Alright. Let’s do this.]

Whoosh!

I returned with Dharma to the main hall, where my disciples were waiting. I called them forward and said.

“I know the Divine Thief is within this space.”

The disciples merely stared at me with blank expressions. I examined each of them closely, but I found no discomfort at all. It was utterly astonishing that neither the Fire Eye Golden Spirit nor the Soul Exchange Technique could unveil their true identities. I continued speaking.

“Divine Thief, I am Baek Woong. The reason I have come to this world is to chase after you. I know you’ve been tracking the Xuanyuan Sword since before Yeodong-bin defeated the Dragon of the Apocalypse, and that you traversed the outer universe to get here.”

There was no reply.

The four were genuinely unaware and simply listened, while the Divine Thief’s essence residing within the subconscious of one among them chose not to respond to my words.

“If you’re after the Xuanyuan Sword, then my goal is the Four Great Spirit Deities. If our objectives differ, there’s no need for us to clash; we can cooperate to achieve our goals and return to our original realm, right?”

Silence…

I sighed and declared.

“Fine. Then I will find you in my own way.”

Sigh…

‘Please… let it be correct!’

This time, I decided to start with Hye Ga instead of Huang Wu. I initiated the second stage of the Technique of All Things, and as I chanted the spell, a mask appeared behind Hye Ga, which I swiftly snatched and wore.

Swish!!

……

I stumbled due to the confusion in my identity, but soon realized that Hye Ga was pure monkhood, a person who had suffered from the world’s darkness all his life, only to gain enlightenment from Dharma and cut off one arm. He was indeed remarkable but not the Divine Thief.

Next, it was a scholar with a seemingly weak demeanor. When I took his mask, I learned his name was Seong Jin, a prince from a fallen small country. He had been rescued by Dharma during an attempt on his life by rebels and became his disciple.

Then, there was a beautiful woman. She was a princess named Ayuta from a similarly small nation, but unlike Seong Jin, she had left her kingdom intact to follow Dharma’s enlightenment.

Only two remained.

One was a robust fellow with the appearance of a martial artist, and the other was Huang Wu, with sharp, skinny features.

‘One of those two…’

I glanced at the two and said.

“One of you is the Divine Thief.”

“……”

They looked at me in silence. Their faces displayed signs of panic; naturally, my wearing a mask to impersonate them was an extraordinarily bizarre sight for them in a world devoid of such powers. I glared at both of them and exclaimed.

“Divine Thief! If you do not come out willingly, Dharma and I will have no choice but to attack!”

Still, there was no response.

I reached out first to Huang Wu and cast my spell on him. He looked frightened, but soon, as he transformed into a mask to cover me, I managed to read his true identity. Previously, he had been a talented magnate in the financial world but had joined Dharma’s ranks after being rescued from a death trap set by rebels, making him somewhat secular and timid.

‘If Huang Wu isn’t the Divine Thief…’

I turned to the last one, Howol.

The towering Howol spoke in a gruff voice. He originally hailed from the renowned martial family and had served as a general, but he had resigned to join Dharma on his wandering journey as an upright man.

“What are you doing? Let me have a go too.”

There was no need.

After reaching this point, the identity of the opponent was clear.

If four out of five were innocent—the last one must be the culprit.

“I want to be innocent too.”

“……”

Could Howol really be the Divine Thief?

I thought there was no need. I resolutely declared.

“I find you the most suspicious, so I shall seal you.”

This was the best option.

Looking at Dharma, I saw him slowly reaching out.

He was about to seal Howol with a spell infused with power.

In that moment.

Ta-da!!

Out of nowhere, Howol charged at me at an incredible speed and reached his hands out. In an instant, he seemed to be smiling and saying something.

[Okay, give it a try, junior.]

It sounded like a taunting challenge!

And then, a strange power flickered from the tips of Howol’s fingers, sending a chilling sensation up my spine as something rose behind me. I realized it was the [mask] revealing its form, and I felt goosebumps all over.

‘D-Damn!!!’

He could reveal the mask without even chanting a spell?!

Had he deceived me when teaching the Technique of All Things from the Seat?!

No, it couldn’t be that; his capabilities might just be higher than mine…!!

‘No time to panic! For now…’

Even in my flustered state, I kept my composure and swiftly reached out. I was second to none in speed.

‘Damn! Even if we take each other’s masks, wouldn’t that put us back at square one?’

At that crucial moment of extreme tension, our hands crossed.

Howol grabbed my mask, and I snatched his.

Pop…!!

Everything went white.

For a brief moment, I lost consciousness.

And then I felt myself being jolted back to reality.

“……!!”

As I regained my senses, I stood up, and saw Huang Wu beside me, looking concerned as he helped me steady myself.

“Are you alright, Howol hyung?”

“……?”

“What the heck is this Baek Woong guy doing to us? Dammit… how on earth could our master fall for someone like that!”

What on earth are you talking about?

Then, the peerless beauty, Princess Ayuta, spoke to me.

“Howol hyung, please sit a little longer. You look very pale.”

“……?”

I was puzzled, only to suddenly realize that all five of us were trapped in the dungeon.

And shortly after, it dawned on me.

“Oh… wait a minute…”

That’s right.

I had swapped bodies with Howol.