1086——————==

Soul of the Evil God

A preemptive strike against Yeodong-bin.

Sure, I could have taken my time, observing the situation and figuring out Yeodong-bin’s techniques, but my gut was screaming at me to attack first. Probably because I guessed that defensively sparring with a master like Yeodong-bin would be pretty pointless.

Even before I fully obeyed that instinct, my body shot forward like lightning, slamming my consciousness-laden sword strike squarely in front of Yeodong-bin.

Absolute Sword Thunder

Infinite Slash!

I unleashed my strongest technique right from the get-go! Conserving energy against a constant would just be stupid!

Boom!!

In the blink of an eye, my Infinite Slash was blocked. It was Yeodong-bin’s hand that stopped it, and I could see my blade being held directly by him.

“……?!”

What the?!

He just performed an empty-handed defense against my strike…?!

‘No way!’

Even the top dogs like the Master of the White Lotus Sect or Asura couldn’t pull that off! They either got pierced by my Infinite Slash or had to resort to techniques to redirect it, but they never dared to go bare-handed.

How on earth could he catch my strike, which was packed with all my consciousness? It was like catching lightning with bare hands, for crying out loud!

As I stood there stunned, Yeodong-bin murmured.

“You’re still lacking in observation. Your imagination needs work…”

“Gah!”

I gritted my teeth and twisted the sword, trying to slice off his finger to free it.

“Hmm!”

But Yeodong-bin seemed to read my movements like a book and instantly changed the direction of his strength. Realizing it was advanced martial energy manipulation, I quickly entered a focused state to read the flow.

‘His energy is solid.’

This fleeting moment of awareness and reading the flow was something I practiced countless times under the teachings of the legendary Jang Sam-bong. Understanding martial energy was fundamental and one of the strongest offensive and defensive techniques, and I was drilled on it constantly. By the time I acquired the Peerless Technique, I was confident I had reached a peak level in martial energy.

I could feel it: the flow of ‘power’ twisting, turning, and dancing around. Most people would struggle to read even five techniques in this flow, but I, having reached the master level, navigated through a hundred techniques with ease. I could claim I surpassed even the Wudang Sect leader in sheer deciphering of martial energy.

Suuuu

‘Ah… wait a second…’

As a minuscule current of energy brushed like a cross, I sensed something like a wave emanating from Yeodong-bin’s fingertips. The moment that wave spread, everything I had read about his flow was undone, and I immediately realized the flow had reverted back to him.

Boom

Suddenly, Yeodong-bin’s previously empty hand slammed down on my wrist, and I braced myself with my Protection Energy Technique while attempting once more to yank my sword from his grip. But Yeodong-bin was ten steps ahead, reading my every move, so he didn’t let go of the sword.

Creeeak…

I desperately tried to sharpen my strike and cut away at his hand, but Yeodong-bin remained unresponsive. My consciousness continued to drain from this uncomfortable stalemate, and I let out an internal groan.

“Ugh….”

Why?

Why is this possible?

My strike is one of the most potent forms of consciousness-driven technique out there! Its slicing power had never failed against any absolute master! How is Yeodong-bin managing to catch my sword bare-handed?

While I was lost in confusion, Yeodong-bin said, “You aren’t wielding the full power of the potential you’ve built up. If you did, by now, all my fingers would be severed. But your imagination and observation skills are lacking, leaving you suppressed by me.”

I struggled to respond, “How… can you catch my strike with your bare hands?”

“That’s just a fixed idea you have.”

“……?”

“As long as you think it’s bare-handed, you’ll never escape.”

What is he on about?

I couldn’t comprehend it at all, and my mental strength felt utterly drained. I didn’t expect the pride of my sword technique to be so easily blocked, and every thought was grounding to a halt.

Crack

As Yeodong-bin’s grip on the sword intensified, I felt my spirit being constrained. Just when I was about to lose hope, the spirit of Xuyou shouted loudly in my mind.

[Focus, Baek Woong! Take Yeodong-bin’s words to heart! Let go of your fixed ideas!]

[Xuyou!]

As I snapped back to reality, Xuyou continued, [What Yeodong-bin means is simple! If that’s truly bare hands, what do you call it? I, Xuyou, am with the sword strike called consciousness, so if I couldn’t catch it bare-handed, what’s that even mean?]

[……!!]

[It means bare hands, yet not bare hands!]

In that moment, something clicked in my mind.

‘Could it be?’

I activated Fire Eye Golden Spirit and looked at Yeodong-bin’s bare hands, but I saw nothing. It felt like Fire Eye Golden Spirit couldn’t detect it, so I switched to National Seal’s power and donned Palace Examination Technique, only to see something beginning to form.

Sssss

Translucent spirit energy.

But even with that technique, I could only see the spirit’s hazy outline—not clearly enough to identify it. Thanks to the clue Xuyou provided, I had a vague idea of the formidable phenomenon Yeodong-bin was displaying, and shortly thereafter, I figured out how to break free from this suppression.

Thunder God Fist

Raging Leg

Wham!!

As I kicked toward Yeodong-bin’s head, he subtly turned his body and deflected it with one hand, following up by transitioning into the Three Treasure Technique to elbow his neck. For the first time, Yeodong-bin’s body was forced back.

“Gotcha!”

With a brief window of opportunity, I fueled my energy into a powerful strike that blasted Yeodong-bin away at the same speed. A technique designed to minimize damage.

Clap

Only then could my sword break free from Yeodong-bin’s grasp. Yeodong-bin seemed to have nicked his hand, with blood trickling between his fingers, but it wasn’t severed. He glanced at the faint injury on his hand before addressing me.

“Baek Woong. Why did you switch from sword techniques to martial arts technique?”

I answered brusquely.

“When swords are at a standoff, it’s proper to use other body parts to fight. Am I wrong?”

“You figured it out.”

“I did figure it out.”

I regarded Yeodong-bin’s hand with a hint of respect.

“Your hand itself is the Heart Commanding Sword.”

It was clear.

It’s bare-handed but contains the power of the Heart Commanding Sword! So what I mistook for empty-handed was more like a clash of swords!

The Heart Commanding Sword, rivaling or surpassing my strike’s consciousness, meant it was no different than a sword duel, and not realizing I ought to contend using different approaches, I was lost focusing solely on sharpening my strike. However, thanks to Xuyou’s advice, I managed to recognize the situation and treat his hand as a sword, adjusting my response to break free from suppression.

Was it possible that he threw his sword off the cliff earlier to signify he didn’t need a weapon? If he could create a sword form equal to my strike with mere intention, it made sense why he wouldn’t require a weapon.

Calmly, Yeodong-bin extended his hand once more. Then he said, “You’ve grasped the principle. However, you haven’t reached true comprehension, so you can’t properly face the Heart Commanding Sword.”

“Comprehension? What do you mean by that?”

“You didn’t break down my techniques. You merely assumed it was a form of hand guidance. If you think it can only be used in this way, you might as well train in martial arts techniques instead.”

“…….”

That’s a fair point. Yeodong-bin’s skill with swords was at the very top, which is why he could utilize it in such a way. If it were a normal situation, somebody trained in martial arts techniques would have far greater strength than such a maneuver. From an efficiency standpoint, Yeodong-bin’s current method was the epitome of inefficiency.

I felt a surge of tension as Yeodong-bin continued, “This time, I’ll take the lead.”

Does that mean he’s attacking with the Heart Commanding Sword…?!

I stood ready, slowly refining my physical balance as I assumed my stance. At that moment, a light flickered in Yeodong-bin’s eyes.

“Is that the Peerless Technique?”

“You recognized it at a glance. Yes, I’ll attempt to block your strike using the Peerless Technique.”

I clenched my teeth and said, “No matter how strong the Heart Commanding Sword, it can’t break through the Peerless Technique!”

“Very well. This is a splendid match, just when my training was stagnating.”

Yeodong-bin’s eyes sparkled with determination.

“Focus straight on the Absence of Action or you will die!”

Boom!

In that instant, Yeodong-bin transformed into a beam of light.

Heavenly Escape Sword

Heavenly Escape Overlord Sword

Goo-goo-goo – !!

‘What an insane pressure!!’

I thought as I witnessed the daunting light of his massive sword slowly moving toward me. It felt somewhat slow for a technique from the Absolute Realm, but in reality, it was lightning fast. The terrifying power that was coiling around the sword felt impossible to counter with ordinary strength and even my strike felt a tad weak in comparison. It had been wise to prepare using the Peerless Technique beforehand.

Just before the massive sword crashed into me, I focused every ounce of my spirit.

Peerless Technique

This colossal force, an amalgamation of six ultimate techniques, coalesced and began nullifying external powers through the Absence of Action. The harmonization of yin and yang formed within me, enabling me to negate any colossal force. As long as it was a power dictated by ‘strength,’ there was no attack that could get through the Peerless Technique!

Sooaa

When Yeodong-bin’s Heavenly Escape Overlord Sword clashed with the Peerless Technique’s yin and yang, it began to dissipate as if it were being shaved away.

‘Yes!’

The conceptual transformation I visualized in the realm of intention manifesting in reality meant I kept my confidence strong as I maintained the Peerless Technique.

However, just as half of the Heavenly Escape Overlord Sword vanished, something peculiar occurred.

Wooooo

Wooo-ooohh

The massive sword fragmented into pieces, suddenly transforming into a cloud of light, flickering like mist in an instant. And as the light mist began to surge forth, I felt a powerful natural force crashing down onto me.

“……!!”

It felt like witnessing an avalanche right before my eyes!

Yet, despite my confidence in overcoming an avalanche with the Peerless Technique, I couldn’t help but think this light mist was a different beast altogether. Each speck of light was charged with immense pressure, weighing down on me far more than the massive sword did.

‘Ugh…!!’

As I struggled with this indistinct but powerful pressure, I amplified my inner strength and further fortified the Absence of Action. Attempting to entrap the coming light mist like a net, I suddenly realized as it got closer.

This isn’t just mist.

It’s the power of countless swords pushing against the Peerless Technique!

That’s right—it’s a storm of sword energy!

Dudududu

As the intensity of the pressure escalated, I felt myself tottering, ready to crumble. Sweat beads dripped from my forehead, my mind feeling hazy, reminiscent of when I was overwhelmed by the spells of the Old Ruler. Recognizing I couldn’t withstand it with just the first Peerless Technique, I understood I’d need to invoke it repeatedly, a feat that would bear its own risks, breeding a sense of dread.

‘This can’t be… The dimensional difference is unreal.’

Although it somewhat resembled the sword styles of the Sword Demon, the ferocity was leagues apart. The collective might of those millions of sword energies threatened to exceed what I could handle with the Peerless Technique and the Absence of Action. Each of those energies, under Yeodong-bin’s control, represented an entirely different aspect. Balancing the sum of all their disparate attributes with the yin-yang concept wouldn’t be easy.

This is… the heart of the Sword Saint!

My muscles and bones screamed for relief!

While it felt like continuing with the Peerless Technique would equate to death, I nevertheless gritted my teeth and invoked it once more.

‘Either way, I’m still going to die!’

In the end, I weathered Yeodong-bin’s onslaught with the Peerless Technique.

Boom!!

The yin-yang materialized distinctly in the sky as the Absence of Action eradicated the light mass.

Hoooh…

As Yeodong-bin’s technique reverted to nullity, he straightened up and resumed his formal stance, extending his hand forward once again.

“You can properly execute the Peerless Technique. A fine training partner you’ve become.”

“W-wait a minute….”

I took a deep breath, trying to recuperate my stamina. Then, panting heavily, I asked him, “How on earth can you utilize so many sword energies? And how do you imbue such overwhelming strength into them? Is that the power of the Heart Commanding Sword?”

It didn’t make sense.

How could he be this strong?

‘I don’t recall him being this powerful, even 500 years ago…!!’

One thing was certain: Yeodong-bin’s strength had progressed dramatically compared to the past! Even though my own skills had improved since our last skirmish, Yeodong-bin had grown as well, maintaining the differential. It was evident he had stepped into a whole new level, even in the same Absolute Realm.

“It’s all about the process, not the result. Just balancing intention and influence isn’t where it ends.”

“……?”

“Pushing further will bring you no benefit. I think that wraps things up for now.”

Swish

Yeodong-bin lowered his hand.

“If you seek the Heart Commanding Sword, you need to develop the ability to perceive its true essence first.”

“…Could it be?”

His words prompted a realization.

‘Are you saying I need to see the form of the Heart Commanding Sword he has wielded?’

However, that form was completely indistinct, even with Fire Eye Golden Spirit, and barely visible with Palace Examination Technique. When I relayed this to Yeodong-bin, he responded lightly.

“You can’t decipher the essence of the Heart Commanding Sword with techniques or skills. Though I must say, that Palace Examination thing does seem impressive.”

“Then what should I use to see the Heart Commanding Sword?”

“You already possess the capability. If you’ve reached the Absolute Realm, you must have the strength to hone your ‘sight.’”

“…Moon-Style Defense Technique!”

I exclaimed, and Yeodong-bin unemotionally replied.

“I don’t particularly name it, but that may indeed be the state you need. However, it isn’t the only answer, so feel free to train as you see fit.”

Swish

Yeodong-bin turned, seemingly making to leave. Surprised by his intention to depart, I blurted out, “Where are you going? I need to learn more about the Heart Commanding Sword…”

“I think I’ve given you more than enough clues already. Right now, it seems you need to reflect on the Sword Technique and what you possess.”

“What I possess?”

“Stay away from this place for the time being. I’m not here for no reason.”

With that, Yeodong-bin vanished into thin air.

“If you stir things up here too much, the snake will awaken… Don’t go provoking it.”

As he disappeared, I was left pondering what to do.

‘To develop the ability to see the Heart Commanding Sword… Do I have to focus on honing the technique to ‘see’? But if I try to do that…’

Even simply mastering the Underground Nine Chambers of Thunder and the Sword Technique was pushing it, and I began to doubt whether I could achieve that as well. As these thoughts troubled me, I realized the real essence of what Yeodong-bin intended to convey.

Rushing to learn everything is pointless!

If I recklessly reach out for everything without the talent to back it up, I’ll end up incapable of achieving anything worthwhile!

‘Hmm… I should be content to find a training assignment this time!’

Pleased with my bout with Yeodong-bin, I returned to the training grounds. I then recounted my battle with him to Zhu Xian and Lee Seol-pyo.

“Oooh… The legendary Sword Saint Yeodong-bin, indeed…”

“Lee Seol-pyo. I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“If I can fully unleash the Underground Nine Chambers of Thunder, would I be able to defeat Yeodong-bin in a direct confrontation, even with his Heavenly Escape Sword?”

Lee Seol-pyo wore a somewhat distressed expression.

“I can’t say anything for sure, given my low rank and that I’ve never faced off against the Heavenly Escape Sword. But one thing I can confidently say is… Only a divine being could survive a full blast of the Underground Nine Chambers of Thunder!”

“…But I have to kill a divine being.”

“That’s just the way it is. If you possess a weapon capable of slaying a divine being, wouldn’t you go ahead and do it? Logically, the Underground Nine Chambers of Thunder shouldn’t have a stronger martial arts technique.”

With his arms crossed, Lee Seol-pyo concluded, “Seventeen years… That means only about sixteen remain. You seem to be rushing things too much. But that time isn’t short! Even an ordinary martial artist can change drastically in just three years of diligent practice. Stay calm, gradually perfecting your skills, and you will see satisfactory results!”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

I acknowledged with a newfound understanding that I had indeed been too hasty. With plenty of training tasks to complete, it was pointless to spread myself thin when just accomplishing one would suffice.

‘Alright, I’ll just focus on basic training for now. Once I level up my mastery of the Underground Nine Chambers of Thunder and Sword Technique, I’ll reconsider my options.’

In the following month and a half, I committed nearly every day to practice. Feeling like I was getting somewhere, I resolved to securely embody the fundamentals first. Then, three months later, I found myself pondering.

“Where did Cho Mu-rin go?”

I wanted to ask him about the Eight Wilds Shock of Heaven’s techniques when Zhu Xian, who was diligently training, remarked, “He was summoned to the Heavenly Altar.”

“Really? Why all of a sudden…?”

“I’m not sure, but considering the speed of his movement technique, he must have arrived at the Heavenly Altar by now. It would have taken over two time frames already…”

“Hmm.”

Cho Mu-rin was summoned from the Heavenly Realm? Why?

I felt a twinge of anxiety, but I pushed that feeling aside and spoke up.

“Zhu Xian. When he returns, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Clap

“Yellow Dragon Demon God!”

I secretly summoned the Yellow Dragon Demon God, covering myself in the golden armor like a second skin. Then, utilizing the Golden Lamp technique, I set off toward Quartz AgenTour.

The world’s leading clockmaking company and a guild that gathered the finest artisans, Quartz AgenTour. I navigated to the inner sanctum of Quartz AgenTour, where I noticed a reinforced barrier that was much stronger than before. As I passed through the transparent barrier, a stunning blonde with blue eyes appeared in front of me, having teleported in.

“Indeed, you’ve returned.”

“What about the request I made?”

At my question, Bathory Erzsebet, the CEO and great sorceress of Quartz AgenTour, replied, “Before anything, I have to ask—what’s your relationship with Dr. Faust?”

“A cooperative one. I can’t say more than that.”

“……”

“Have you opened the Pocket Watch yet?”

When I pressed for an answer, Bathory Erzsebet smirked.

“Of course I did, though it cost 50% of the company’s capital to do so…”

“Good!”

I nodded and said, “Alright, as we discussed, I’ll hand you Longinus’s spear, so please hand over the Pocket Watch.”

“No. I won’t do that.”

“What?!”

Shhhhhh

Suddenly, several figures appeared nearby, each draped in black hoods and cloaks, emerging ten or so in number. They all radiated a formidable energy that made my skin crawl. In my standards, they were certainly ‘not just anyone.’

‘This isn’t good,’ I thought, frowning in dread, when Bathory Erzsebet grinned and said.

“It’s better for us to keep the Pocket Watch of Dr. Faust. Since we opened it using our own power, it only makes sense we keep it, right? There’s no need for us to accept Longinus’s spear, so do us a favor and leave, Mr. Uninvited.”